Effects of chemotherapy on fertility

Over recent years radical improvements in the treatment of malignant disease have resulted in the cure of patients in or approaching reproductive age, and with that cure, the effects on gonadal function have become apparent. Gonadal failure is particularly important in Hodgkin's disease, germ cell tumours, choriocarcinoma, and leukaemia, diseases of young people which are largely curable. Premature ovarian and testicular failure are easily missed by doctors concerned primarily with the erradication or arrest of a life-threatening disease, but for the patient the hormonal, psychological and social sequelae of treatment may be devastating. In this article we review the effects of chemotherapy on gonadal function and discuss the management of gonadal failure.