Need advice on fertility after childhood TC

[wendy2724]

Hi everyone,

My name is Wendy. My husband and I just found out today from the urologist (he had a semen analysis done) that he doesn't have any sperm count at all. When he was a year old, he was diagnosed with TC, had chemo, and one testicle removed. He is now 28 and has been cancer free since, thank the good Lord. My questions are these: Is there anyone here who has had or knows of a similar situation, and if the man was able to have children, and also, is there a possibility that the lab read the results wrong or that there could be activity given another test?

Thanks so much for your time,
Wendy

[huckchef]

wendy it never hurts to have a second opinion! are they giving you any reason why his remaining testical is not producing any at all?
my wife and i, had to do IVF and they need very little sperm to do this. so it wouldnt hurt to have another look! best of luck!
ps. try a fertility specialist for another opinion not a urologist.

[amorgan74]

Wendy, I would be interested in hearing what a specialist said if you and your husband decide to see one. We have a son that had his left testicle removed shortly after birth and my husband was diagnosed in 04/05 so this is something that will always be in the back of my mind. Our son's pediatric doctor didn't seem to think this is going to matter much and I hope it doesn't but I think it's going to be in the back of my mind as our child grows. April

[Jens]

Hi Wendy.

When he was a year old, he was diagnosed with TC, had chemo, and one testicle removed.

That's a gruesome start in life. I'm glad your husbond is well today.
The missing sperm is (as far as I know) possibly due to the chemo, but it really only takes very little to fertilize an egg and it can be harvested surgically from the epididymis. An IVF specialist is what you want to see.

If you don't mind my asking; does he have any (other?) sideeffects from the chemo?

Best of luck to you!
Jens

[wendy2724]

Effects of childhood chemo on adults

Jens,

As far as we know, other than the fact that my husband has ALL of his baby teeth; no permanent ones at all (not sure if this is from chemo), we can't think of anything. In fact, the thought of other side effects never entered our minds until we read your post. Are there other side effects that young children who have undergone chemo experience in adulthood? Any thoughts on this or info that we should be aware of?

Thanks,
Wendy

[Jens]

Hi again Wendy.
I hope I haven't upset you, I'm sure there is no cause for worries.
First it's a long time ago and secondly he probably got another chemo regime than todays BEP for adults.
My thought was just that there has been some research into the long term effects of chemotherapy - especially for TC survivours, because we tend to survive for very long. Partly because we get TC in a relatively young age and foremost because we get cured. If you want to, you can read something about it here or at tcrc.acor.com.

If this gives rise to any questions, I think a call or a mail to one of the top TC experts at Indiana University or Memorial Sloan Kettering will be the right thing to do.

Best wishes
Jens

[RealDeal]

I am 36 now and when I finised my chemo 6 years my Doctor had called to tell me that I would not have a problem with fertility with the 2 rounds of BEP I had.I think part of it depends on how much chemotherapy is involved.I know the majority of guys with one remaining testicle can father a child the original way in most cases.

[huckchef]

with all said only if the remaining testical has had no trauma due to the cancer. it may produce sperm but will it produce enough? alot of times with chemo or radiation there are effects on the sperm count. you need to wait at least 6-8 months after treatment some recommend longer and have it checked. there are options available for low sperm count and fathering children!

[brianktexas]

Tese

Wendy,

You might ask a fertility doctor about a procedure called TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction). It is a sort of biopsy where they extract the sperm directly out of the testicle. Men who have problems delivering sperm with such issues as retrograde ejaculation or vasectomy patients who have changed their minds. Good Luck.