Problems of reproductive function in survivors of childhood- and adolescent and young adult-onset cancer revealed in a part of a national survey of Japan

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the current status of reproductive disorders as long-term complications in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients by comparing survivors of childhood-onset with those of AYA-onset cancer in Japan.

Methods: We conducted a national survey of AYA cancer survivors and healthy AYAs and analyzed the results from survivors who underwent chemotherapy and reported fertility problems as their current concern.

Results: Among all of the childhood-onset survivors, 27 (35.5%; nine males [28.1%] and 18 females [40.9%]) listed reproduction fertility problems as their current concern. Among all AYA-onset survivors, 25 (69.5%; 1/4 males [25.0%] and 24/32 females [75.0%]) listed these problems as a current concern. In contrast, 96.3% (26/27) of all childhood-onset cancer survivors and 68.0% (17/25) of all AYA-onset cancer survivors who received chemotherapy listed these problems as a current concern.

Conclusions: A considerable number of both childhood-onset and AYA-onset cancer survivors, and especially those who had undergone chemotherapy, reported reproductive dysfunction as a delayed complication. It is vitally important to establish a supportive care system both for the patients whose fertility was abolished after the completion of cancer treatment and prophylactically for patients before they begin treatment.