Sperm Freezing for Cancer Patients: A Step-by-Step Guide

Cancer treatments can take a toll on the body, but even moreso, they can negatively impact fertility from the first dose. For cancer patients who desire to build their families, this is a grim outlook. Fertility preservation is a way for these people to still be able to build their families biologically, even after the treatments may have left them infertile. 

Let us look into sperm freezing and why it is recommended before cancer treatment, what the process of freezing sperm entails, as well, storage and how successful thawing is. We shall also address the matter of cost and what aspects one must take into consideration as they weigh their options.

Why Sperm Freezing is Recommended Before Cancer Treatment

Sperm freezing is recommended before cancer treatment because of the effects that cancer treatment has on the reproductive system. For men, chemotherapy or radiotherapy could damage testicular tissue and sperm cells, which could lead to birth defects or complications in pregnancy. It is vital for patients to initiate these discussions before treatment begins, as doctors may not necessarily prioritize your family building goals. 

The Sperm Freezing Process

The sperm freezing process, or sperm banking, entails collecting sperm from the patient, freezing it using cryopreservation, and then storing it until the patient is ready to begin building their family. Typically, sperm that is frozen will be thawed and used to fertilize eggs through intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The first step of sperm freezing is a blood test to screen for infectious diseases that could negatively impact embryos.

A semen sample will be provided by masturbating and ejaculating into a sterile container. This is usually done at a clinic, but can also be done home. When done at home, the sample must be collected in a clinic approved container, maintained at room temperature, and delivered to the clinic within 24 hours of ejaculation. As well, no lubricants or moisturisers ought to be used to prevent contamination of the sample. 

After the sample is collected it will be examined to ensure that the sperm count is sufficient, and that the sperm has good structure and motility. As well, the semen sample will be cleared of any debris, unwanted materials that could prove toxic, and sperm that are not viable. If the sperm are healthy and viable, they will be prepared for storage by separating the sperm cells from the semen. The sperm will be divided into several separate vials, and cryopreserved in separate storage tanks. This is a contingency in the event a storage tank becomes destabilized.

Storage and Thawing Success Rates

Sperm stored under cryopreservation can potentially be stored indefinitely. However, this is not usually the case as the purpose of freezing is to build families in the future. When a person is ready to build their family, the frozen sperm are thawed gradually to prevent damage and are evaluated to confirm that they have survived the thaw. Studies have shown that when sperm are ‘cleaned’ before cryopreservation, they have a better chance of still being viable after being thawed. In fact, the post thaw survival rate of sperm cells is more than 50 percent.

How Long Can Sperm Be Stored?

When sperm freezing was first introduced, people could store their sperm for up to 10 years. However this was changed by law, allowing people to store their sperm for up to a maximum of 55 years. However, one must renew their consent for storage every 10 years. 

It is important to note that storing sperm comes at a cost, and this is another consideration to make when deciding how long you may want to store your sperm for. As well, it is your responsibility to keep your contact details up to date in case the clinic needs to reach you. If you do not pay for storage, or do not renew your consent, the clinic may discard your sperm.

Insurance and Cost Considerations

The cost of sperm freezing is calculated across several aspects. The first is sperm collection and analysis which can cost anywhere between $50 and $200 for a basic analysis or $150 to $400 for thorough fertility testing. Specialized tests such as DNA fragmentation may cost between $300 and $500, but these costs are dependent on the fertility clinic conducting the analysis.  Additionally the initial cost of processing and freezing can range from $200 to $1,000 while the annual storage fee could range between $100 to $500 each year. 

FAQs:

Can cancer treatment affect sperm production?

Yes, chemotherapy, radiation, and some types of surgeries can significantly impact sperm production and fertility. This depends of the type of treatment, the dosage, the length of treatment, and the age of the patient. While younger men may have a better chance of recovering their fertility after treatment, there are those who will face permanent infertility.

How much does sperm freezing cost?

Sperm freezing costs vary from one clinic to the next. The costs generally cover sperm collection and analysis which range between $50 and $400, depending on whether it is a basic analysis or a thorough fertility testing. Additional testing such as DNA fragmentation could cost $300 to $400. The processing and freezing fees generally range from $200 to $1,000, and the annual storage fees could be between $100 and $500. That being said, some fertility clinics and organizations offer discounted sperm freezing programs for cancer patients.

How long can sperm be frozen?

Sperm can be frozen indefinitely with no expiration date. Studies show no decline in quality or viability even after decades of storage. The longest known case of successful conception using frozen sperm was over 20 years after freezing.

Is sperm freezing covered by insurance?

Coverage depends on your insurance plan and provider. Some states mandate fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients, but others do not. Therefore, ask your insurance provider about fertility preservation benefits, look into grants and financial assistance programs from organizations like Livestrong Fertility or the Oncofertility Consortium, and check with your employer as well. Some employers offer fertility benefits that cover sperm freezing.

Can I use frozen sperm for IVF?

Yes! Frozen sperm can be used for IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) or IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) to conceive in the future. There is no major difference in success outcomes, whether conception happened with fresh sperm or with frozen sperm. Typically, the sperm is carefully warmed to maintain viability and used either in IUI treatments if the quality is good, or with IVF with ICSI if sperm parameters are low.