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Programs & Services

Fertility Preservation in Childhood Cancer

A member of our fertility preservation team is available to meet with you to discuss options to preserve your child’s fertility. These options depend on the type of cancer, the planned therapy and the age of the patient. We will help you develop a plan of care to best meet your child’s needs. Some procedures can be done at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, but some may need to be done at other clinics. Please contact a member of the fertility preservation team to discuss options for you or your child at 602-933-0920.

Your child’s plan might include:

  • Egg cryopreservation: This minimally invasive procedure involves removing eggs from an ovary and freezing. The eggs can be used in the future to create a pregnancy. It is an option for girls who have already reached puberty.
  • Ovarian tissue cryopreservation: This innovative technique, available at Phoenix Children’s, involves removing ovarian tissue containing immature eggs for freezing and storage. It’s an option for girls who have not entered puberty and do not yet have mature eggs for freezing. Currently, this option is available for young women at highest risk for developing infertility.
  • Shielding: Sometimes called gonadal shielding, this practice involves using a protective shield on the outside of the body to protect the ovaries, testicles or other reproductive organs from radiation damage.
  • Sperm cryopreservation: Also called sperm freezing or sperm banking, this service can be helpful for males who are past puberty and creating sperm. The sperm is preserved to be used for fertilization later.
  • Testicular tissue cryopreservation: Similar to ovarian tissue freezing, this procedure is an option for boys who have not yet reached puberty. It involves removing tissue from the testicles for freezing and storage. Testicular tissue cryopreservation is still an experimental procedure.
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