CanHelp
Tips
Effects of Chemotherapy Drugs on Fertility
By Ms Lita Chew, Manager, Oncology Pharmacy, NCC
Drugs used to treat cancer can affect reproductive organs and their
functions. Its effect on fertility depends on the age, the types of
drugs, the amount of drugs received, the duration of treatment and
also the general health of the individual. Some
drugs can cause more damage to reproductive cells than others. Below
is a chart of chemotherapy drugs that are known to be especially
damaging.
| Chemotherapy
drugs |
Cancers
treated |
| Cyclophosphamide |
Leukemias,
lymphomas, breast and ovarian cancer |
| Ifosfamide |
Sarcomas,
breast and urologic cancers |
| Nitrogen
Mustard |
Hodgkin’s
disease |
| Thiotepa |
Breast
cancer |
| Busulphan |
Leukemias |
| Carmustine |
Brain tumors |
| Chlorambucil |
Leukemias |
| Cytarabine |
Leukemias,
lymphomas |
| Cisplatin |
Head/Neck,
Lung, breast, ovarian, testicular cancers and lymphomas |
| Procarbazine |
Hodgkin’s
disease |
In
men, chemotherapy may lower sperm count, reduce sperm’s
ability to move, or cause other abnormalities. These changes can
result in temporary or permanent infertility. There is also a risk
of passing some of the cancer drugs through the semen (for up to
48 hours), so the use of condom is recommended during and after
treatment.
In women, chemotherapy can affect the
ovaries and reduce the amount of hormones they produce. As a result,
menstrual periods may become irregular or stop completely during
and after chemotherapy. Although pregnancy may be possible during
chemotherapy, it is best to wait until after completion of the entire
treatment process before trying to get pregnant. The usual advice
is to wait at least two years after your diagnosis. As each individual
is different,
it is best to discuss the possibility of pregnancy with the treating
oncologist.
|
