| Abstract [eng] |
Background. While the five-year survival rate of childhood cancer exceeds 80%, many survivors develop late effects including infertility. However, most survivors perceive the information regarding fertility as insufficient. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of fertility care in childhood cancer patients. Material and methods. All parents or patients aged 12-17.9 years treated from July 1, 2021 until July 1, 2022 were invited to complete oncofertility-care-evaluation-questionnaire. After completing the questionnaire, respondents were triaged to low or high risk of gonadal damage using a gonadal damage risk stratification tool (triage). Data was assessed using descriptive statistics. Results. Questionnaires were completed by 48 parents and 13 children. Triage resulted in 36 (59%) low gonadal damage risk and 25 (41%) high risk respondents. Most high risk respondents (21/25, 84%) were not counseled by a fertility specialist. Six boys (4 high risk, 2 low risk) were counseled, none of the girls was counseled. Three high risk boys underwent sperm cryopreservation. Only 17 (27.9%, 9 high risk, 8 low risk) respondents correctly estimated their risk. All counseled boys (n=6) agreed the risk for fertility impairment had been mentioned compared to 49.1% (n=27) of uncounseled. All counseled respondents agreed they knew enough about fertility (vs 42%) and all knew their fertility preservation options (vs 38.8%). Conclusions. Respondents counseled by a fertility specialist were provided more information on fertility than uncounseled. Gonadal damage risk stratification revealed a lack of high risk respondents counseling. Based on the current experience oncofertility care will be improved. |
