Open AccessRecent advances in oncofertility care worldwide and in Japan
Author(s) -
Takai Yasushi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
reproductive medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1447-0578
pISSN - 1445-5781
DOI - 10.1002/rmb2.12214
Subject(s) - oncofertility , fertility preservation , ovarian tissue cryopreservation , medicine , reproductive medicine , health care , ovarian tissue , gynecology , intensive care medicine , oncology , family medicine , pregnancy , ovary , biology , fertility , political science , environmental health , genetics , population , law
Background Oncofertility is a crucial facet of cancer supportive care. The publication of guidelines for the cryopreservation of oocytes and ovarian tissue is becoming increasingly prevalent in Japan and an updated overview is necessary. Methods In order to provide an updated overview of oncofertility care, original research and review articles were searched from the PubMed database and compared in order to present clinical care in Japan. Results In Western countries, various methods for ovarian stimulation, such as the combined use of aromatase inhibitors and random‐start protocols, have been reported. Although ovarian tissue cryopreservation, mainly performed via the slow‐freezing method, also has yielded >100 live births, the optimal indications and procedures for the auto‐transplantation of cryopreserved tissue have been under investigation. In Japan, however, vitrification is prevalent for ovarian tissue cryopreservation, although its efficacy has not yet been established. The quality of network systems for providing oncofertility care in Japan varies greatly, based on the region. Conclusion There remain many issues in the optimization of oncofertility care in Japan. Along with the regional oncofertility networks, the creation of “oncofertility navigators” from healthcare providers who are familiar with oncofertility, such as nurses, psychologists, and embryologists, could be useful for supplementing oncofertility care coordination, overcoming the issues in individual regions.