DNiece has Hodgkins lymphoma. Is fertility preservation possible (NZ)?

[Isabeller]

DNiece is in New Zealand but usually lives in UK. She has just had stage 2 Hodgkins lymphoma diagnosed.

In amongst the shock and upset I know she doesn't want to lose the chance of having a family in future.

Does anyone know anything about fertility preserving treatment ie egg/ovarian tissue freezing?

Can frozen eggs/tissue be brought back to UK or is the whole thing impossibly expensive anyway?

Is she going to start treatment in NZ or come back to the UK?

Please reassure her that the standard chemo used for Hodgkin's doesn't carry a high risk of infertility. She should be given the option to speak to a member of the fertility team though.

AFAIK egg freezing does not have a high success rate and there have only been a few live births resulting from frozen eggs.

Thank you so much for your reply. I think she will have treatment in NZ.

I think egg freezing techniques are much better now than a few years ago but might be too expensive.

I'm normally a lurker but felt compelled to respond to you (and join mumsnet after many months of just reading!!) to offer my positive story. I had HL - stage 2b, 5 years ago and was successfully treated with 8 courses of ABVD. At diagnosis I was in a pretty bad way and couldn't afford the time to have the process of egg collection done. So throughout treatment I had my ovaries down regulated with a monthly prostap injection, which basically put me in a temporary menopause. The idea being that it would preserve the eggs better as my body wouldn't be gearing up to try and release them each month. I don't know whether this had any effect or not, but I'm very pleased to say that I am currently sitting breastfeeding my 5 week old dd- who was conceived without any issues.

A close friend of mine had a similar treatment to October in terms of the temporary menopause (for a different, very rare cancer) and conceived, by accident, 11 months after treatment, before her periods had come back. The baby is fine and the mum has not had any relapses or complications. I think, for her, down regulating the ovaries was considered to be more successful than freezing either eggs or ovarian tissue, and would obviously be much cheaper and practical for your family. Similarly, I know someone who has had colorectal cancer and infertility wasn't an issue (2 DCs later proves them right). Unless the consultant has mentioned her fertility, I wouldn't assume the worst. It may be helpful to look at support for her particular type of cancer and avoid looking at the more general risks and problems. AFAIK, treatment for female specific cancers tend to carry a higher risk of infertility.

It must be so difficult for you all, especially being so far away and unable to give hugs and help. I hope between the posters here and a bit of googling you can offer some reassurance.

Thank you, hugs and