The main objective is to preserve the fertility of young women who are going to receive oncological treatments.

The Son Llàtzer University Hospital has launched an ovarian tissue preservation programme with the aim of preserving the fertility of young women who are going to receive cancer treatment. The programme has been developed by the Assisted Human Reproduction Unit of the Son Llàtzer University Hospital under the coordination of the Regional Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs and is part of the basic portfolio of services of the National Health System.

TDB keeps you informed. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Son Llàtzer

The Regional Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs, Patricia Gómez, accompanied by the Director General of the Health Service, Manuel Palomino, the manager of the Son Llàtzer University Hospital, Xisco Marí, the head of the Hospital’s Gynaecology and Obstetrics Service, Ángel Martín, and the manager of the Balearic Islands Blood and Tissue Bank, Ismael Gutiérrez, visited the Gynaecology Department today, where the ovarian tissue preservation programme was presented.

Advances in the treatment of cancer in young, adolescent and adult women of reproductive age have improved overall survival rates in this population.

Toxicity of treatments can lead to a decrease or cessation of reproductive capacity and possible fertility preservation should be considered as part of the comprehensive care of cancer patients.

The technique of ovarian tissue preservation is indicated in prepubertal or post-pubertal patients who are going to receive oncological treatments that compromise their future reproductive capacity and who, due to their young age, on many occasions, cannot undergo ovarian stimulation to obtain oocytes.

First of all, the service indicating the service – Oncology, Haematology, etc. – will evaluate the donor by cryopreservation of ovarian tissue in order to assess the toxicity of the treatment.

If this is the case, the Assisted Human Reproduction Unit of the Son Llàtzer Hospital will subsequently evaluate the donor within 72 hours. It will be determined on the basis of the clinical history, the therapeutic indication, the available documentation, the justification for the donation and the safety criteria. In addition, family, personal and gynaecological history will be assessed to establish the suitability of ovarian tissue preservation.

Once the candidate is considered suitable, a portion of the ovarian tissue will be extracted by means of a minimally invasive laparoscopic intervention, which will be carried out by members of the Assisted Human Reproduction Unit – and additionally by members of the Gynaecological Oncology Unit – in the operating theatres of the Son Llàtzer University Hospital.