Sperm Extraction Success in Testicular Cancer Patients with Fertility Issues

What is it about?

The study examines the success rate of oncological microdissection testicular sperm extraction (onco-microTESE) in testicular cancer (TC) patients with azoospermia and severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). A retrospective review of 38 patients from a single tertiary referral center was conducted. Onco-microTESE was successful in 61% of patients with azoospermia, while additional contralateral microTESE increased the success rate to 71%. In patients with severe OAT, the procedure enabled further fertility preservation in most cases. The study highlights the effectiveness of onco-microTESE in fertility preservation without delaying cancer treatment and suggests integrating testicular function assessment into diagnostic pathways.

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Photo by Caroline Hernandez on Unsplash

Photo by Caroline Hernandez on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research is important because it investigates the effectiveness of oncological microdissection testicular sperm extraction (onco-microTESE) for fertility preservation in men with testicular cancer who are azoospermic or have severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Given that testicular cancer often affects men in their prime reproductive years, and a significant proportion of these patients have fertility issues at diagnosis, understanding effective fertility preservation methods is crucial. The study's findings contribute to improving fertility management strategies for cancer patients, potentially allowing more men to preserve their ability to have biological children after cancer treatment. Key Takeaways: 1. Effectiveness: Onco-microTESE shows high success rates for sperm retrieval in testicular cancer patients with azoospermia (61% success from the affected testicle, increasing to 71% when including contralateral procedures), offering a promising fertility preservation option without delaying cancer treatment. 2. Timing: The study demonstrates that onco-microTESE can be performed quickly (median of 7 days from presentation), allowing for fertility preservation without significantly delaying cancer treatment. 3. Comprehensive Approach: The research highlights the importance of early fertility assessment in testicular cancer patients, emphasizing the need to integrate testicular function evaluation and semen analysis into diagnostic pathways to identify patients who may benefit from onco-microTESE.