Ovarian Cryopreservation and Transplantation: a Preserving Fertility Procedure

Developments in cancer treatment modalities and the ability to detect it in the early stages have increased survival rate, yet raise fertility problems for those who have to endure gonadotoxic therapy. Cryopreservation of either ovary, oocytes or embryo can be an option, surely with its own advantages or disadvantages. Cryopreservation procedures are not without risks. As an example, there is a risk of reimplanting an occult tumour within the frozen–thawed ovarian pieces. Therefore, a thorough discussion between the practitioner and patient regarding all available options should be performed prior to its implementation, and there should be a clear understanding that most fertility preservation options are currently experimental.