Fertility Preservation in Childhood Cancer
A member of our fertility preservation team will meet with you to discuss options to preserve your child’s fertility. Together, we’ll build a plan that addresses your child’s diagnosis, treatment, and age. Our team coordinates every step.
Specialized Fertility Care, All in One Place
From your very first conversation with our team, you can expect:
- A dedicated nurse coordinator who connects with your family early, often at the time of diagnosis, to answer questions and coordinate next steps.
- A private visit, in person or by video, to review your child’s medical history, discuss how treatment may affect fertility and review what options may be available.
- A plan built around your family's decisions, with your child included in a way that fits their age and development.
- Coordination of every step, including procedures performed at partner facilities when needed.
- Ongoing support for as long as your family needs it, including the option to take part in research that helps future patients.
Your child’s plan might include:
Egg Freezing (Cryopreservation)
Egg freezing involves removing mature eggs from an ovary and freezing them for possible use in the future, done at a partnering institution
Ovarian Tissue Freezing (Cryopreservation)
Ovarian tissue freezing involves removing and freezing a small piece of ovarian tissue that contains immature eggs. This option may be available for children who have not yet gone through puberty and those patients who cannot delay cancer treatments.
Shielding
Sometimes called gonadal shielding, this practice involves using a protective shield on the outside of the body to protect the ovaries or testicles from radiation damage.
Sperm Freezing (Cryopreservation)
Sperm banking, also called sperm freezing, should be encourage for all males who have gone through puberty and are producing sperm, and can be done either in or out of the hospital.
Testicular Tissue Freezing (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 freezing is still being studied in clinical trials that Phoenix Children’s is actively participating in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fertility preservation refers to the medical options available to help protect a child's chance of having biological children in the future, before or soone after cancer treatment or another therapy that could affect fertility begins.
No. We also see patients with certain congenital conditions, such as Turner syndrome, and children receiving treatment for rheumatologic or gastrointestinal conditions that may affect future fertility.
It’s best to talk with the team as early as possible, ideally before treatment begins. If treatment has already started or finished, it’s still worth asking about your child’s fertility and available options. Your family can request a referral, or your care team can refer you. We also accept referrals from providers outside Phoenix Children's.
A nurse coordinator will first connect with your family to gather information and answer initial questions. If needed, you'll then meet with our physician, in person or by video, to review your child's medical history, talk through fertility risk and discuss available options. This appointment usually lasts about an hour.
Your child still has options. Girls of any age can be considered for ovarian tissue freezing. Boys who haven't reached puberty may be candidates for testicular tissue freezing. Both procedures are performed as part of an IRB-approved research study.
Yes, whenever appropriate. We tailor the conversation to your child's age and include them as much as possible, since children often have strong feelings about their own care.
Insurance coverage varies by procedure and health plan. Some options are offered through research studies, which may affect what costs are covered. Our team can help you understand what to expect based on your child’s treatment plan.
Yes. Our team supports patients with questions about fertility preservation as part of gender-affirming care. Talk with your care team to learn more.
Some services, like radiation shielding and oocyte cryopreservation are performed by our partner specialists. Our team coordinates every detail, so your family doesn't have to.