Fertility Preservation

At Cook Children's, we believe that focusing on the future fertility of our patients is an extension of Cook Children's Promise to improve the health of every child. Children and young adults with a variety of illnesses, such as cancer, hematologic, rheumatologic, genetic and endocrine conditions, among others, may require treatment that can have a serious impact on reproductive organs. This can make it difficult for them to start families of their own in the future.

Our goal is to help patients and their families make informed decisions about fertility preservation. Our fertility preservation team helps patients and their families better understand the impact current treatments may have on future fertility, as well as options to help preserve fertility.

We educate patients and families on the fertility preservation options available to them based on the diagnosis and anticipated treatment plan. This includes both clinically approved and research options to preserve fertility.

Our fertility team works closely with local and national fertility experts to remain updated on new findings and to expand access to preservation options available here. As a member of the Oncofertility Consortium's Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network (OPEN), Cook Children's demonstrates its commitment to uphold the highest standards in oncofertility care. Our affiliation with OPEN ensures that we are connected to front-line advances in this specialty program and committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients. It creates opportunities for us to join collaborative research efforts with the goal of enhancing patient care now, and in the future.

Services we offer

Fertility education and navigation services

Upon diagnosis, you will meet with our fertility preservation navigator for an initial counseling session. During this session, you will receive:

An individualized fertility-risk assessment based on age, diagnosis, planned medical treatment and past treatment.
Education about appropriate fertility preservation options based on your risk assessment.
Printed and/or video materials for further reading.
Referrals to supportive services, such as Child Life, Pastoral Care, and Clinical Therapy.

If your family wishes to pursue fertility preservation, our fertility navigator will coordinate the next steps in the process to ensure a smooth integration with the current treatment plan, including:

Appointments with a reproductive endocrinologist.
Coordination of procedures.
Lab work.
Assistance with financial resources.

Reproductive health during and after treatment:

Reproductive health is an important aspect of overall health and wellness. Our fertility navigator will continue to provide additional education about reproductive health and fertility during and after treatment. Additional monitoring of hormonal and reproductive function will be arranged as needed, as well as referrals to providers at Cook Children's and in our community.

Clinical services

In collaboration with expert medical providers in our community, we are able to provide the following fertility preservation options to our patients, as appropriate and feasible.

Male patients

Sperm cryopreservation

Sperm is collected and frozen for future use. Note: this procedure is only available to patients who have gone through puberty.

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)

Patients who are unable to produce a sperm sample can undergo a surgical procedure to collect sperm for frozen storage. Note: this procedure is only available to patients who have gone through puberty.

Shielding of testes

Patients who receive radiation therapy near their testes can have them covered by a lead shield to protect them from radiation damage.

Testicular tissue cryopreservation (experimental)

A small piece of testicular tissue is surgically removed and frozen for possible future use. This procedure is reserved for patients at the highest risk for infertility based on their risk assessment.

Preserving possiblilities - male (English)

Preserving possibilities - male (Spanish)

Female patients

Oocyte cryopreservation

Ovaries are stimulated to produce mature eggs that are collected and frozen for future use. Note: this procedure is only available to female patients who have gone through puberty.

Ovarian transposition

Ovaries are surgically moved out of the field of radiation to reduce risk of radiation damage.

Ovarian shielding

Patients who receive radiation therapy near their ovaries can have them covered by a lead shield to protect them from radiation damage.

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation

One ovary containing immature follicles is removed and frozen for future use. This procedure is reserved for patients at the highest risk for infertility based on their risk assessment.

Embryo cryopreservation

Ovaries are stimulated to produce mature eggs that are collected, fertilized with sperm from a male partner or sperm donor, and frozen for future use. Note: this procedure is only available to female patients who have gone through puberty.

albritton-fertility-podcast

Fertility Preservation. A Promising Future for Young Cancer Survivors

As more young people survive cancer, the issue of fertility preservation is front and center. Dr. Karen Albritton and her oncofertility team explore the challenges of preserving fertility in children, teens and young adults

The promise of the future

Preserving possiblitites - female (English)

Preserving possibilities - female (Spanish)

Who we see

Children and young adults with cancer are not the only ones whose future fertility is impacted by illness or treatment. Our services are available to a wide range of patients who may have a need for fertility preservation. Some conditions for which this may be important include:

Bone marrow transplant
Endocrinologic disorders
Rheumatologic disorders
Sexual development disorders
Other conditions where there is a potential for fertility loss

"Cook Children's Promise extends beyond treatment and into survivorship issues, such as fertility. We are excited about this program and believe it's a way to offer hope to patients of all ages who otherwise would not have an option for biologic offspring."
– Karen Albritton, M.D., medical director, Adolescent and Young Adult program at Cook Children's Hematology and Oncology Center.

Meet our team

Karen Albritton, MD

Hematology and Oncology

Accepting new patients

682-885-4007

Shanna M. Combs, MD

Gynecology

4.8 out of 5

119 Ratings

Accepting new patients

682-303-0800

Jonathan Kaye, MD

Urology

4.8 out of 5

116 Ratings

Accepting new patients

682-303-4426

José Iglesias, MD

Pediatric Surgery

4.9 out of 5

44 Ratings

Accepting new patients

682-885-7080

Rachel Rigdon
M.Div., Chaplain
Anna Nackley, M.D.
Reproductive Endocrinology, Center for Assisted Reproduction
Robin Thomas, M.D.
Reproductive Endocrinology, Center for Assisted Reproduction
Robert Kauffman, M.D.
Reproductive Endocrinology, Fort Worth Fertility
Biren Patel, M.D.
Reproductive Endocrinology, Fort Worth Fertility

We are here to help.

If your child has been diagnosed, you probably have lots of questions. We can help. If you would like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak to our staff, please call our offices at 682-885-6152.

Fertility Preservation

Services we offer

Fertility education and navigation services

Clinical services

Male patients

Sperm cryopreservation

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)

Shielding of testes

Testicular tissue cryopreservation (experimental)

Resources

Female patients

Oocyte cryopreservation

Ovarian transposition

Ovarian shielding

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation

Embryo cryopreservation

Fertility Preservation. A Promising Future for Young Cancer Survivors

Resources

Who we see

Meet our team

Karen Albritton, MD

Shanna M. Combs, MD

Jonathan Kaye, MD

José Iglesias, MD

We are here to help.