2022 Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages 37-43
With the development of cancer medicine and reproductive medicine in recent years, childhood and AYA (adolescent and young adults) cancer patients who can preserve fertility before the start of cancer treatment has increased in number. Oncologists give accurate information to patients about the potential for gonad dysfunction due to treatment as soon as possible. In close cooperation with reproductive endocrinologists, the time for facilitating decision-making regarding fertility preservation should be provided to patients as soon as possible because there is no time to start cancer treatment. In principle, cancer treatment is given priority above all. On the other hands, a cancer patient who wishes to have a baby may try to become pregnant early after the end of cancer treatment depending on the condition of the disease. Consequently, the question arises how soon after cancer treatment completion can gestation be tried, with the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on gametes has been eliminated. To avoid the effects of drug use on gametes in patients, FDA and EMA published guidelines in this field in 2019 and 2020, respectively. However, in Japan, there was no guideline corresponding to the guidance in this area. Therefore, the AMED’s JP20mk0101139 “Research Group on Proper Use of Drugs for People with Fertility” gathered the opinions of experts familiar with reproductive medicine, toxicology, and drug safety measures, and prepared the “Guidance on the Need for Contraception Related to Use of Pharmaceuticals” in March 2021.
