Chemotherapy in young women of childbearing age can be complicated by such serious and often irreversible consequences as premature menopause and infertility. According to the latest international data provided in the study "The use of hormone therapy with goserelin during chemotherapy", it was largely possible to counter these risks thanks to the synthetic analogue of LHRH (natural gonadotropin-releasing hormone) – goserelin. The authors of the study proved the protective effect of goserelin on fertility support in young premenopausal patients, and therefore the use of this substance before chemotherapy was recommended to be considered as a prevention of premature menopause and preservation of reproductive health.
We asked Larisa Kovaleva, Candidate of Medical Sciences, gynecologist-endocrinologist at the EMC, to tell us more about the program of hormonal support using the LHRH analogue at the EMC and the possibilities of the Center for the Preservation of Reproductive Function in cancer patients.
Larisa Kovaleva comments:
"In the Clinic of Gynecology and Oncogynecology, high attention is paid to the preservation of ovarian ovarian reserve and prolongation of reproductive age in patients undergoing cancer treatment. During organ-preserving surgical procedures on the ovaries, the main principle of patient treatment is to take care of healthy ovarian tissue without compromising the oncological prognosis. If radiation therapy is necessary, we often surgically remove the ovaries from the future radiation zone – this preserves their hormonal function. When chemotherapy is indicated, drugs such as goserelin are used, and after its completion, in the absence of oncological contraindications, we have the opportunity to use modern assisted reproductive technologies. We prescribe hormones and antihormones (including gonadotropin-releasing hormone) for the most effective realization of fertile function, preservation of reproductive health and prevention of premature termination of ovarian function.
In addition, the EMC successfully implements ART programs before starting treatment for cancer diagnosis, which allows for the receipt and cryopreservation (freezing) of healthy eggs, spermatozoa, and even embryos, so that after the end of cancer treatment, a woman can have her own biological child."