Male options before cancer treatment

What this is

• collecting, freezing and storing sperm
• this is the standard way of preserving fertility in males

When this is used

• when you want to store sperm for the future
• samples can be stored for up to 20 years
• legal limits on how long sperm can be stored are different in each state and territory; it’s possible to ask for an extension
• your fertility clinic can advise about time limits and the cost of storage

How this works

• the procedure is performed in hospital or in a sperm bank facility (also called an andrology unit)
• samples are collected in a private room where you can masturbate or have a partner sexually stimulate you, and then ejaculate into a jar
• it’s recommended that you provide 2–3 samples; you may need to visit the clinic more than once to make sure enough semen is collected
• sperm is then frozen until needed
• when you are ready to have a child, the frozen sperm is thawed and used to fertilise an egg using IVF

What to consider

• if you collect semen at home, you must keep the sample close to body temperature and get it to the sperm bank facility within an hour
• if you want to collect semen during sex, you must use a special condom you can get from the sperm bank facility
• if you are unable to ejaculate, there are medical ways to encourage ejaculation
• if you are unable to produce a sample of semen, sperm may be collected using testicular sperm extraction
• you may feel nervous and embarrassed going to a sperm bank, or worry whether you will be able to ejaculate; the medical staff are used to these situations; you can also bring someone with you

What this is

• protecting the testicles from external beam radiation therapy with a shield

When this is used

• if the testicles are close to where radiation beams are directed (but are not the target of the radiation), they can be protected from the radiation beams

How this works

• protective lead coverings called shields are used

What to consider

• this technique does not guarantee that radiation will not affect the testicles, but it does provide some level of protection

What this is

• a way of looking for sperm inside the testicular tissue
• also called surgical sperm retrieval

When this is used

• when you can’t ejaculate
• when there is not enough sperm in the semen sample
• to collect sperm from men with retrograde ejaculation

How this works

• under anaesthetic, a fine needle is inserted into the epididymis or testicle to find and extract sperm; this is called testicular aspiration
• if no sperm is found, your specialist may do an open biopsy to retrieve a larger tissue sample
• collected sperm is frozen and can later be used to fertilise eggs during IVF

What to consider

• in rare cases, no sperm is found in the testicular tissue