Fertility preservation in young men with cancer: current concepts and future

Abstract

Over the past 40 years, the global profile of cancer is changing. Initially regarded as a disease of the rich countries, it is noted that currently most of its global burden comes from poor or developing countries. In recent decades cancer has become a public health problem worldwide, with alarming estimates for subsequent decades. In Brazil, the estimates for the year 2012 will be valid for the year 2013 and reveals the occurrence of approximately 518,510 new cases of cancer, including cases of non-melanoma skin. Are expected a total of 257,870 new cases for males. The great thing is that about 10% of these cases are in the age group below 45 years and 1% below 20 years of age. Although the current treatment of cancer has increased considerablysurvival rates at 5 years young patients, it is almost invariably associated with great risk of infertility, leading to significant negative impact in the lives of these young men. This review article discusses the most current concepts in preserving fertility in young men treated for cancer, the growth of this field within the oncology and urology and the future of this topic so relevant to our population. Even today there is a important disconnect between the world and medical practice guidelines, when it comes to fertility preservation in men with cancer of reproductive age.