Reproductive late effects after hematopoietic stem cell transplant in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors

Abstract

AbstractReproductive late effects after hematopoietic stem cell transplant can have a significant impact on cancer survivors’ quality of life. Potential late effects include gonadal insufficiency, genital graft‐versus‐host disease, uterine injury, psychosexual dysfunction, and an increased risk of breast and cervical cancer in patients treated with total body irradiation. Despite guidelines, screening and treatment are not standardized among at‐risk patients. Provider barriers include lack of knowledge of at‐risk therapies and evidenced‐based guidelines. Patient barriers include a reluctance to report symptoms and lack of awareness of treatment options. System barriers include inefficient implementation of screening tools and poor dissemination of guidelines to providers who serve as the medical home for survivors. This review guides the clinician in identifying and managing reproductive late effects after hematopoietic stem cell transplant to improve outcomes.