fertility in cancer patients
Yale Ob/Gyn professor Pasquale Patrizio together with a national and international group of colleagues developed general guidelines targeted to oncologists on how to introduce the concept of fertility preservation in both male and female cancer patients.
Published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the article by Patrizio and his colleagues reviewed all the published literature from 1987 to 2005 to evaluate whether oncologists had counseled cancer patients about the risk of infertility associated with their treatment and fertility preservation options.
"We've found that cancer patients think of the possibility of losing fertility, but they don't pursue it if their oncologists don't bring it up," says Patrizio, professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and director of the Yale Fertility Center. "Hopefully, now that we have the guidelines in print, we will see a rising number of cancer patients exploring the various options to preserve fertility."
Patrizio says the main interest of oncologists is treating the cancer. In the fight to eradicate the cancer, oncologists are not thinking about fertility after treatment, he adds.
Oncologists and reproductive endocrinologists are working on the same patient with different objectives, says Patrizio, noting that the oncologist wants to cure the cancer, and the reproductive endocrinologist wants to preserve fertility.
"This paper provides a link between these two disciplines," he says. "Educating clinical oncologists to advise their patients about the availability of fertility preservation options will result in the patient having a better quality of life after the cancer treatment is complete.
"By talking to patients about options to preserve fertility at the earliest phase of the treatment plan, we are providing a positive prognosis for outcome," says Patrizio. "It reinforces the positive message of hope. This is truly an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to care."
-- By Karen Peart
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
SOM gets largest single donation in its 30-year history
Program to boost conservation in developing world
Study: Job loss near retirement doubles heart attack risk
Union, management working together . . .
Yale pledges full cooperation in federal review
School of Nursing to launch Ph.D. program
In honor of family's gift, facility has been renamed . . .
Students work to enrich Elm City on summer fellowship
MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWS
Yale leading national study on causes of meningioma
Placenta may hold key to early diagnosis of autism
Belitsky named as education dean; Ment to oversee admissions
Radiotherapy may benefit some lung cancer patients
Guidelines aim to preserve fertility in cancer patients
Mental health coverage may be financially feasible
Study calls for reforms in patient transfer protocols
Study: Survival rate poor in patients with kidney disease . . .
Sindelar named ASHE president
'To Know the Dark' exhibit features American artists' visions of the night
Study: Self-esteem a major factor in love-hate relationships
Pilot Pen Tennis tournament to debut instant replay technology
Library exhibit marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of . . .
Evidence of ultra-energetic particles found in jet from black hole
In YSN study, Iraqi nurses cite a need for new hospitals . . .
Northeast's mercury levels linked to power plant activity
SurExam in China to commercialize blood test for ovarian cancer
Oncolys BioPharma in Tokyo to develop novel anti-HIV treatment
Rudd Center's new blog encourages discussion of food-related issues
This New House
Vladimir Rokhlin honored by the IEEE for his invention
Olympian swimmer Mike Austin donates his gold medal to Yale
Acclaimed director Lloyd Richards, nurtured new playwrights
Yale chemistry student chosen by DOE to meet with Nobel laureates
Chinese archivists to meet with Yale librarians
Yale Books in Brief
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home