Ovarian Cortex Freezing: Protecting Fertility During Cancer Treatment

A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming, but modern medicine now allows young women and girls to preserve their dreams of motherhood. Fertility Preservation (Oncofertility) is the process of saving eggs, embryos, or ovarian tissue before starting treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.

The Impact of Chemo and Radiation

Ovarian follicles are highly sensitive to DNA-damaging agents. Depending on the dose and type of treatment, anticancer therapies can lead to:

• Premature Ovarian Failure: Early onset of menopause.
• Reduced Follicle Reserve: A significantly shortened reproductive lifespan.
• Hormonal Shift: Markers like AMH and AFC may drop to premenopausal levels following treatment.

Why Ovarian Cortex Freezing?

For many young patients—including prepubertal girls or those who cannot delay chemotherapy for the 2 weeks required for egg retrieval—Ovarian Tissue Freezing is the only viable option. This technique protects the primordial follicles, which are hardier and less affected by radiation than mature eggs.

[Image: Illustration of Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation]

The Procedure Steps:

Restoring Fertility After Remission

Once a patient is in remission and ready to conceive, the tissue can be auto-transplanted back into the body. Modern studies show an encouraging pregnancy rate of 23% to 37% following transplantation. Emergent techniques like In-Vitro Maturation (IVM) are also expanding options for future family building.

Timing is Vital

Fertility preservation must be discussed before the first dose of chemotherapy. If you are feeling stressed or confused about your options, specialized counseling at Talwar Fertility can provide the clarity you need during this difficult time.