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Impact and Timing of Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy and Fertility Preservation

Impact and Timing of Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy and Fertility Preservation Purpose of ReviewUpfront fertility counseling improves quality of life for young breast cancer patients planning for pregnancy post-treatment. We reviewed the literature on the impact, if any, that breast radiation may have on post-treatment fertility and fertility preservation decisions in order to facilitate fertility counseling.Recent FindingsWhile the ovaries and uterus should not receive significant doses of radiation during breast radiation, negligible radiation doses (that are too low to induce ovarian failure) may result from internal scatter. Despite a low risk of infertility from breast radiation, data suggest that women may have chosen mastectomy to avoid whole-breast radiation due to fertility concerns. Although multiple studies have provided encouraging data with successful pregnancies after breast cancer treatment, the number of patients that underwent breast radiation and required fertility preservation methods are rarely reported.SummaryIn conclusion, the impact that breast radiation appears to have on fertility is low and, in our opinion, should not result in patients choosing mastectomy over breast conservation therapy due to fears of infertility. However, further studies specifying the patients receiving breast radiation and requiring fertility preservation methods are warranted to help reassure patients and their providers. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Current Breast Cancer Reports Springer Journals

Impact and Timing of Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy and Fertility Preservation

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Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
ISSN
1943-4588
eISSN
1943-4596
DOI
10.1007/s12609-020-00394-9
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose of ReviewUpfront fertility counseling improves quality of life for young breast cancer patients planning for pregnancy post-treatment. We reviewed the literature on the impact, if any, that breast radiation may have on post-treatment fertility and fertility preservation decisions in order to facilitate fertility counseling.Recent FindingsWhile the ovaries and uterus should not receive significant doses of radiation during breast radiation, negligible radiation doses (that are too low to induce ovarian failure) may result from internal scatter. Despite a low risk of infertility from breast radiation, data suggest that women may have chosen mastectomy to avoid whole-breast radiation due to fertility concerns. Although multiple studies have provided encouraging data with successful pregnancies after breast cancer treatment, the number of patients that underwent breast radiation and required fertility preservation methods are rarely reported.SummaryIn conclusion, the impact that breast radiation appears to have on fertility is low and, in our opinion, should not result in patients choosing mastectomy over breast conservation therapy due to fears of infertility. However, further studies specifying the patients receiving breast radiation and requiring fertility preservation methods are warranted to help reassure patients and their providers.

Journal

Current Breast Cancer Reports – Springer Journals

Published: Nov 5, 2020

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