Ovarian Tissue Freezing

Ovarian tissue freezing is sometimes called ovarian cryopreservation or ovarian tissue banking is the only pre-treatment option currently available to preserve fertility for prepubescent girls and patients who cannot undergo ovarian stimulation. .

Some cancer treatments may affect your fertility (ability to have biological children). Ovarian tissue freezing is a procedure to remove, freeze, and store your ovarian tissue before you start treatment. This protects them from being harmed during your treatment so you can use them to try to get pregnant in the future.

Ovarian tissue freezing is done by removing 1 of your ovaries before you start cancer treatment. The part of your ovary that holds your eggs is separated from the rest of your ovary. Then, your tissue is frozen and stored.

When you’re ready to try to get pregnant, you will have a procedure to put the tissue back in your body. If you’re no longer fertile after cancer treatment, using this tissue may help you get pregnant.

Who is eligible for Ovarian Tissue Freezing?

Ovarian tissue freezing is not an option for everyone. You may be eligible for ovarian tissue freezing if:

• Your cancer treatment will cause you to lose many eggs. This puts you at a high risk for infertility (not able to get pregnant naturally) after treatment.
• You have enough eggs to have this option work for you. You may not have enough eggs if you’re over 40 years old or you lost most of your eggs from past cancer treatment.
• You cannot have your eggs or embryos frozen before treatment. While egg or embryo freezing is generally the best option to preserve fertility, not everyone can have this done.
  • You may not be able to freeze your eggs or embryos if:
    • You’re too young. Before puberty, females do not have mature eggs.
    • You cannot delay your cancer treatment for the 2 weeks it takes to have your eggs or embryos frozen.
    • You recently had chemotherapy.

Ovarian Tissue Transplantation

Transplantation of ovarian tissue, regardless of its processing dimensions, restores ovarian hormone activity