P-006 Fertility outcomes in men diagnosed with oncohematological diseases who stored their semen for fertility preservation
Authors: Reschini M , Trubbia D , Boeri L , Guarneri C , Sanzani E , Somigliana E , Vigano P 
Published: July 2024

Study question

What is the prevalence of conceptions among patients who underwent semen cryopreservation before receiving treatment for oncohematological disease?

Summary answer

Natural live birth rate after oncohematological treatments is around 38%(95%CI:31-45%), but can rise to 61%(95%CI:54-67%) with the use of frozen semen during ART cycles.

What is known already

Due to advancements in cancer treatments, there is a growing population of male adult cancer survivors. These individuals are at risk of experiencing treatment-induced infertility, and it is generally advised for them to preserve their semen before starting therapies. However, the details regarding the long-term utilization and effectiveness of frozen sperm samples in this particular population remain unclear.

Study design, size, duration

The study included males with oncohematological disease who stored semen (1987-2018) at Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico’s Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit in Milan. Data, gathered from records or proactive inquiry, assessed natural and ART conceptions post-treatment. The study also examined semen analysis, parenthood attempts, and the usage rates of stored spermatozoa as primary outcomes.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The study is limited to men who meet the following eligibility criteria: i) semen cryopreserved for fertility preservation between 1987 and 2018; ii) diagnosis of oncohematological disease; iii) survival of at least 5 years from cryopreservation.

Main results and the role of chance

A total of 424 patients who underwent semen cryopreservation for oncohematological diseases were included in the study. The median [IQR] age at the time of sperm banking was 27 [23-33]. The most common indication was lymphoma (86%), and 102 subjects (24%) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The median sperm concentration at the time of storage was 54 [20-98] million/ml. Among the participants, 242 (57%) men underwent post-treatment sperm analysis, revealing azoospermia in 87 of them (36%, 95%CI: 30-42%). Of the remaining, only 93 (38%) exhibited normal semen parameters. A total of 188 out of the 424 men included (44%) expressed a desire for childbearing and seventy-one achieved a natural live birth (38%, 95%CI: 31-45%). Eighty-nine individuals used their cryopreserved sperm samples, constituting 21% (95%CI: 17-25%) of the entire cohort. Among these 89 men, 45 experienced at least one live birth (51%, 95%CI: 40-61%). Notably, thirty-three men, despite actively seeking pregnancy, did not utilize their frozen semen. In summary, out of the 188 men interested in fatherhood, a total of 114 achieved a live birth (61%, 95%CI: 54-67%).

Limitations, reasons for caution

Our study is constrained by the lack of detailed information on the illness status, comorbidities, and specific cancer therapies administered. Furthermore, the data concern a single-center population, potentially limiting the generalizability of the results.

Wider implications of the findings

Oncohematological disease often require systemic therapies or even hematopoietic stem cell transplantation resulting in a very high percentage of infertile patients These findings support the need to prioritize sperm preservation before therapies in these patients, even in cases who are not candidates for stem cell transplantation in the first instance

Trial registration number

NA