BACKGROUND
Advancements in cancer treatments have successfully improved central nervous system cancer survivorship and overall quality of life. As a result, the awareness of the importance of fertility preservation techniques is increasing. Currently, a range of established techniques, such as oocyte cryopreservation and sperm cryopreservation, are available. However, oncologists may be hesitant to refer patients to a reproductive specialist.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of the proposed systematic review is to assess the best evidence for fertility preservation techniques used in patients with CNS cancers. It also aims to evaluate outcomes relating to their success and complications.
METHODS
This protocol is produced in adherence with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA). Electronic databases will be systematically searched to identify studies that meet our eligibility criteria. Studies will be included if they report at least one type of fertility preserving or sparing technique in male patients of any age and female patients under 35 years of age. Animal, non-English studies, editorials and guidelines will be excluded from this review. From the included studies, data will be extracted and synthesized using a narrative approach and summarized in tables. The primary outcome will be the number of patients successfully undergoing a fertility preserving technique. Secondary outcomes will include the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of oocytes or embryos vitrified for cryopreservation, clinical pregnancy or live birth. The quality of the included studies will be assessed using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute risk-of-bias tool for any type of studies.
RESULTS
This systematic review is expected to be completed by the end of 2023 and results published in a peer-reviewed journal and on PROSPERO.
CONCLUSIONS
The proposed systematic review will summarize the fertility preservation techniques available for patients’ with CNS cancers. Given the improvement in cancer survivorship, it is becoming increasingly important to educate patients about fertility preserving techniques. There are likely to be several limitations to this systematic review. Current literature is likely to be of low quality due to insufficient numbers and there may be difficulty in accessing datasets. However, the results from this systematic review hopes to provide an evidence base to help inform the referral of patient’s with CNS cancers for fertility preservation treatments
CLINICALTRIAL