Impact of oncological treatment on human reproduction

Infertility is one of the most common permanent implications of oncology treatment of patients in reproductive age. The aim of this paper is to summarize current knowledge about the impact of basic modalities of oncology treatment on human reproduction. The authors describe the influence of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and pelvic surgery on the reproductive functions of men and women. Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy diminish the ovarian reserve of follicles, which is the main determining factor of premature ovarian failure. Modern markers of ovarian reserves are introduced, which in common clinical practice can effectively help to evaluate the risk of irreversible damage to the gonadal cells done by oncological disease or its curative treatment. If there is a good chance to permanently cure malignant disease in an oncological patient of fertile age, it is advisable to consider new modern techniques of reproductive protection in cooperation with reproductive medicine specialists.