Cancer and male infertility

Abstract

Male cancer and infertility are linked in three different ways. First, in certain malignancies, such as Hodgkin's disease, testicular and endocrine cancers, infertility may precede the diagnosis of cancer. The cause of infertility in these cases is not always obvious, although endocrine and immune aetiologies are responsible in some of them. Therefore, during evaluation of an infertile male, the possibility of cancer should be borne in mind. Second, cryptorchidism causes, in a parallel course, infertility and cancer. Third, improved survival of childhood and adolescent cancer is the trend of modern medicine. However, infertility is an important major sequela of treatments. The roles of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery on fertility potential are stressed and possible treatment modalities in such cases are discussed.