TY  - JOUR
AU  - Osborne-Grinter, Maia
AU  - Bianca, Offorbuike Chiamaka
AU  - Sanghera, Jasleen
AU  - Kaliaperumal, Chandrasekaran
PY  - 2023
DA  - 2023/5/8
TI  - Fertility Preservation Techniques in Neuro-Oncology Patients: Protocol for a Systematic Review
JO  - JMIR Res Protoc
SP  - e44825
VL  - 12
KW  - fertility
KW  - reproduction
KW  - central nervous system
KW  - CNS cancer
KW  - neuro-oncology
KW  - cancer
KW  - awareness
KW  - electronic database
KW  - tool
KW  - fertility preservation
KW  - patient
KW  - treatment
KW  - reproductive
KW  - oncology
KW  - infertility
KW  - in vitro fertilization
KW  - artificial insemination
KW  - human reproduction
KW  - gynecology
KW  - gynecologist
KW  - assisted reproductive technology
KW  - gestational surrogacy
KW  - surrogate
KW  - fertility tourism
KW  - test tube baby
KW  - intracytoplasmic sperm injection
AB  - Background: Advancements in cancer treatments have successfully improved central nervous system (CNS) 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 related to their success and complications. Methods: This protocol was produced in adherence with the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols). 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 aged <35 years. Animal studies, non-English studies, editorials, and guidelines will be excluded from the review. From the included studies, data will be extracted and synthesized by using a narrative approach and summarized in tables. The primary outcome will be the number of patients successfully undergoing a fertility preservation technique. The secondary outcomes will include the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of oocytes or embryos vitrified for cryopreservation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth. The quality of the included studies will be assessed by using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute risk-of-bias tool for any type of study. Results: The systematic review is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, and results will be 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 preservation 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 data sets. However, it is our hope that the results from the systematic review provide an evidence base to help inform the referral of patients with CNS cancers for fertility preservation treatments. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42022352810; https://tinyurl.com/69xd9add International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/44825 
SN  - 1929-0748
UR  - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e44825
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/44825
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37155238
DO  - 10.2196/44825
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/44825
ER  -