The treatment of childhood cancers, such as lymphoma and leukemia, often involves chemotherapy drugs that can significantly impair future sperm production. While sperm cryopreservation (freezing) is a viable option for adult cancer patients prior to chemotherapy, this preventive measure is not feasible for prepubescent boys. This is because the testicular tissue in prepubertal individuals contains only early-stage germ cells; the development of mature, fertilizable spermatozoa is completed only during puberty. Consequently, the collection and cryopreservation of testicular tissue for future sperm extraction is also not a viable option in children due to the absence of mature sperm.
Radiotherapy, depending on the dose and duration, can also contribute to infertility. For certain other cancer types, sperm production may resume spontaneously within 2-5 years after treatment. It is imperative that adult cancer patients of reproductive age are routinely counselled and offered sperm cryopreservation before commencing cancer surgery or treatment.