Preserving Parenthood In Kids Fighting Cancer

Preserving Parenthood In Kids Fighting Cancer

Reported February 23, 2011

PHILADELPHIA (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Chemotherapy helps save the lives of young cancer patients, but at the same time, some of these toxic treatments are also wiping out the possibility that survivors will someday become parents. But new procedures may preserve parenthood for even the youngest of patients.

“It started during volleyball. It felt like a growing pain, aching really bad. It wouldn’t go away.” Danielle Pollicino, student, told Ivanhoe.

Doctors found a malignant tumor in the bone of Danielle’s forearm. She was immediately scheduled for surgery followed by chemo — treatment that would save her life but could leave her infertile.

“I woke up in the middle of the night and said, ‘Oh my God, what are we going to do?’ She’s too young. She’s going to want to have babies.” Lisa Pollicino,
Danielle’s mom, said.

Doctor Jill Ginsberg is the director of the cancer survivorship program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Ginsberg is testing an experimental procedure that may preserve parenthood for even the youngest cancer patients by harvesting, freezing and storing reproductive tissue-before toxic treatments begin.

“Long down the road, when they are cured of their cancer, if they are having difficulties, this tissue can be thawed and then re-implanted.” Jill P. Ginsberg, M.D., Director of the Cancer Survivorship Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia said.

Adult female cancer patients can sometimes undergo a procedure to harvest eggs but that can take weeks or months — not an option in Danielle’s case.

“She had a bone tumor that nobody wanted to wait three to four weeks to do any egg freezing.” Dr. Ginsberg said.

During a 30-minute laparoscopic procedure, surgeons removed a tiny piece of ovarian tissue from the cortex — an area rich in egg follicles. Cells that will be stored until Danielle is ready for the possibility of parenthood.

“There’s a ray of hope out there. Nothing’s guaranteed. If she isn’t able to have babies on her own, there’s something out there that may work, “Lisa Pollicino said.

I do want to have kids. I’ve already thought about that. I do want to have kids and a family.” Danielle Pollicino concluded.

Doctors say this procedure is considered experimental, as there have only been nine pregnancies worldwide. Testicular tissue-freezing procedure is a possibility for pre-pubertal boys who are at high-risk for infertility, though this too is experimental and not as advanced. Scientists are still refining the technology.