Review article

A review of the incidence and survival of childhood and adolescent cancer and the effects of treatment on future fertility and endocrine development

M H Botha, T F Kruger

Abstract


Cancer is not uncommon in children. The reproductive system is an important site for late effects of cancer treatment, and normal pubertal development depends on an undamaged hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Fertility compromise can occur due to chemotherapy, radiotherapy to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, or surgery. Cryopreservation techniques of germ cells are improving and may offer hope for fertility preservation.

Authors' affiliations

M H Botha, Unit for Gynaecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Tygerberg, Western Cape

T F Kruger, Unit for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Tygerberg, Western Cape

Full Text

PDF (1536KB)

Keywords

Adolescent cancer; fertility preservation; cancer treatment; childhood cancer

Cite this article

South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2012;18(2):48-53.

Article History

Date submitted: 2011-08-31
Date published: 2012-03-29

Article Views

Abstract views: 4221
Full text views: 1551

Comments on this article

*Read our policy for posting comments here


The South African Medical Association is the official publisher of the SAJOG.

                                                           

                                        SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

                                                         Events | Careers | CPD

 

The South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology| Online ISSN: 2305-8862 | Print ISSN: 0038-2329 | 

Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial Works License (CC BY-NC 4.0) | 

This journal is protected by a Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial Works License (CC BY-NC 4.0) | Read our privacy policy.

SAMA Journals: South African Medical Journal African Journal of Health Professions Education South African Journal of Bioethics and Law South African Journal of Child Health | Southern African Journal of Critical Care  | South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Undergraduate Research in Health African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine  | Southern African Journal of Public Health