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01-09-2014

Male infertility in long-term survivors of pediatric cancer: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study

Authors: K. Wasilewski-Masker, K. D. Seidel, W. Leisenring, A. C. Mertens, M. Shnorhavorian, C. W. Ritenour, M. Stovall, D. M. Green, C. A. Sklar, G. T. Armstrong, L. L. Robison, L. R. Meacham

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 3/2014

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of male infertility and treatment-related risk factors in childhood cancer survivors.

Methods

Within the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, 1,622 survivors and 274 siblings completed the Male Health Questionnaire. The analysis was restricted to survivors (938/1,622; 57.8 %) and siblings (174/274; 63.5 %) who tried to become pregnant. Relative risks (RR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for the prevalence of self-reported infertility were calculated using generalized linear models for demographic variables and treatment-related factors to account for correlation among survivors and siblings of the same family. All statistical tests were two-sided.

Results

Among those who provided self-report data, the prevalence of infertility was 46.0 % in survivors versus 17.5 % in siblings (RR = 2.64, 95 % CI 1.88–3.70, p < 0.001). Of survivors who met the definition for infertility, 37 % had reported at least one pregnancy with a female partner that resulted in a live birth. In a multivariable analysis, risk factors for infertility included an alkylating agent dose (AAD) score ≥3 (RR = 2.13, 95 % CI 1.69–2.68 for AAD ≥3 versus AAD <3), surgical excision of any organ of the genital tract (RR = 1.63, 95 % CI 1.20–2.21), testicular radiation ≥4 Gy (RR = 1.99, 95 % CI 1.52–2.61), and exposure to bleomycin (RR = 1.55, 95 % CI 1.20–2.01).

Conclusion

Many survivors who experience infertility father their own children, suggesting episodes of both fertility and infertility. This and the novel association of infertility with bleomycin warrant further investigation.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Though infertility is common, male survivors reporting infertility often father their own children. Bleomycin may pose some fertility risk.

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Title: Male infertility in long-term survivors of pediatric cancer: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study
Authors: K. Wasilewski-Masker
K. D. Seidel
W. Leisenring
A. C. Mertens
M. Shnorhavorian
C. W. Ritenour
M. Stovall
D. M. Green
C. A. Sklar
G. T. Armstrong
L. L. Robison
L. R. Meacham
Publication date: 01-09-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-014-0354-6

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Implications for Cancer Survivors

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