Effect of chemo- or radiotherapy on sperm parameters of testicular cancer patients

Hum Reprod. 2006 Nov;21(11):2882-9. doi: 10.1093/humrep/del167. Epub 2006 Sep 22.

Abstract

Background: The aims of our study were to investigate the short- and long-term effects of chemo- or radiotherapy on spermatogenesis in patients with testicular cancer and to establish any correlation between pre-therapy sperm parameters, histotype and treatment type/intensity and the progress of spermatogenesis during the post-therapy period.

Methods: We evaluated 166 patients affected by testicular cancer, who cryobanked about 1 month after the removal of the cancerous testis and before beginning chemo- (CH group; n = 71) or radiotherapy (RT group; n = 95).

Results: For the CH group, there was a statistically significant decrease in sperm parameters, which was most significant 3 months after the end of chemotherapy. For the RT group, this decrease was most relevant 6 months after the end of radiotherapy. Two years after therapy, 3% of the CH group and 6% of the RT group remained azoospermic. To evaluate whether spermatogenesis recovery is a function of baseline semen quality, we divided each group into two subgroups by pre-therapy total sperm count (A, <40 x 10(6)/ejaculate; B, >or=40 x 10(6)/ejaculate). At t(24), subgroup A of both the CH and RT groups showed improved sperm parameters over the baseline, whereas subgroup B for both CH and RT groups showed a return of sperm parameters to those of baseline values.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the recovery of spermatogenesis after chemo- or radiotherapy in our group of testicular cancer patients was not a function of pre-therapy sperm parameter quality. Cryopreservation of sperm before performing such therapy is therefore imperative.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Azoospermia / diagnostic imaging
  • Azoospermia / epidemiology
  • Azoospermia / etiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Semen / drug effects
  • Semen / radiation effects
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects*
  • Spermatozoa / radiation effects*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents