Why choose Cook Children’s fertility preservation program
Some health conditions and their treatments can make it harder for kids to have a family of their own one day. It's a lot for any parent, child or young adult to think about. At Cook Children's, our fertility preservation services offer hope that getting cancer treatment doesn't necessarily have to mean giving up becoming a parent someday.
What you can expect
Considering fertility is an extension of Cook Children's Promise to improve the well-being of every child. In addition to caring for physical health, our experts also care deeply about the hopes and dreams of the children and young adults we treat. With our fertility preservation services, you can expect:
Our specialists are trusted experts in preserving fertility for children, teens and young adults with cancer. Patients have access to oncologists, endocrinologists, urologists, gynecologists and surgeons. We also work with top specialists nationwide to bring our patients the newest, most advanced options. Just as important as what we do, is how we do it. We take the time to understand what you or your family is going through, leading with compassion and speaking with honesty.
Considering fertility preservation can be overwhelming for your whole family. We're here for you through every step. Our team can answer tough questions and offer steady support. Child Life services and Spiritual Care can help you and your family feel supported and at peace with whichever path you choose.
Cook Children's specialists offer certain fertility treatments. Others are available through partnerships with reputable community providers, such as reproductive endocrinologists. We manage the details so patients and families can focus on the next steps of care.
Every young person deserves the opportunity to have children in the future, and we're honored to help make that possible. We have resources to minimize the financial cost of fertility preservation services, so that cost is not a barrier to the possibility of fertility preservation. A generous donor has made this possible, even if your insurance doesn't cover it.
Advancing oncofertility services
We're a member of the Oncofertility Consortium's Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network (OPEN). OPEN is an international group of medical specialists, scientists and scholars. They work together to broaden their knowledge of fertility preservation for cancer survivors. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to the highest oncofertility standards. It also gives your child access to promising new methods.
Our first focus is on helping you understand the impact current treatment may have on future fertility, how we predict that risk and how we would determine the impact treatment has had in the future.
We discuss fertility preservation before treatment starts, so patients and their families have time to think about options. It's up to you and your family to determine if you want to move forward. Whatever you decide, we’re here to answer questions, offer guidance and support you with compassion and respect.
If you or your family wishes to pursue preservation, our fertility navigator coordinates next steps. They may include:
- Appointments with a reproductive endocrinologist or surgeon
- Lab work
- Procedure planning
- Assistance with financial resources
- Sperm freezing: We collect and freeze sperm for future use. This option is for patients who’ve started puberty.
- Testicular shielding: We cover the testicles with a special shield during radiation therapy.
- Testicular sperm extraction: If your child can’t provide a sperm sample, we can surgically remove a sample and freeze it. This option is for teens who've started puberty.
- Testicular tissue freezing (cryopreservation): We remove a tissue sample and freeze it. This option is for patients of any age at higher risk of fertility issues and is only available by clinical trial.
- Egg freezing: Medications help produce more eggs, which are collected and frozen. This option is for patients who’ve started having a monthly period.
- Embryo freezing: Eggs are collected, fertilized with sperm to create embryos and frozen. This option is for patients who've started having a monthly period and have a partner or will use donor sperm.
- Hormonal ovarian suppression: Medication reduces ovarian activity, potentially minimizing chemotherapy’s impact on fertility.
- Ovarian tissue freezing: We remove and freeze one ovary with immature follicles (tiny sacs with undeveloped eggs). This option is for females of any age facing a higher risk of fertility issues.
- Ovarian transposition: If your child is undergoing radiation therapy, we surgically move the ovaries out of the treatment area to protect them.
- Ovary shielding: We cover the ovaries with a special shield during radiation treatment.
We continue monitoring patients' fertility risks during and after treatment. Our care may include:
- Teaching patients and families more about the effects of treatment on fertility and reproductive health
- Checking hormone levels and referring to fertility specialists as needed
- Connecting you with reproductive specialists at our medical center or in the community
Moments of magic
Hope and healing happen every day here at Cook Children's. Discover some of our highlights.
