Publications by authors named "Catharyn J Stern"

Article Synopsis
  • A 26-year-old woman who had high-dose radiation for rectal cancer was studied for her ability to conceive using her own uterus, which had been affected by the treatment.
  • After assessing her uterus and performing ovarian tissue grafts, she underwent several IVF cycles, resulting in one successful live birth.
  • This case suggests that despite previous radiation exposure, a successful pregnancy can occur with careful monitoring and interventions, highlighting the need for further research on reproductive outcomes in similar circumstances.
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In the survivorship setting, adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors frequently demonstrate little knowledge of infertility risk, are unclear regarding their fertility status, and may under- or overestimate their treatment-related risk for infertility. In female AYA survivors, ovarian function usually parallels fertility, and can be assessed with serum hormone levels and ultrasonography. Posttreatment fertility preservation may be appropriate for survivors at risk for primary ovarian insufficiency.

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Background: In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a common mode of conception. Understanding the long-term implications for these children is important. The aim of this study was to determine the causal effect of IVF conception on primary school-age childhood developmental and educational outcomes, compared with outcomes following spontaneous conception.

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Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is an imprecisely defined disorder lacking a robust scientific basis. The incomplete understanding of RIF provides significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, and a better understanding of the underlying issues is necessary to improve outcomes. We propose a novel concept termed 'Theoretical Cumulative Implantation Rate', the calculation of which is based on objective data, to define whether a patient should be diagnosed with RIF.

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Improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment in patients of a reproductive age have led to significant improvements in survival rates; however, a patient's fertility can be affected by both cancer and its treatment. As survival rates improve, there is an expectation by clinicians and patients that patient's reproductive potential should be considered and protected as much as possible. However, there is a lack of data about current fertility preservation (FP) uptake as well as accurate data on the acute or permanent reproductive risks of cancer treatment, complications of FP in cancer patients, and the use and success of assisted reproductive technology by cancer survivors.

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Purpose: In Australia and New Zealand, there has not been a national systematic development of oncofertility services for cancer patients of reproductive age although many cancer and fertility centers have independently developed services. A number of barriers exist to the development of these services, including a lack of clear referral pathways, a lack of communication between clinicians and patients about fertility preservation, differences in the knowledge base of clinicians about the risk of cancer treatment causing infertility and fertility preservation options, a lack of national health insurance funding covering all aspects of fertility preservation, and storage costs and cultural, religious, and ethical barriers. The development of strategies to overcome these barriers is a high priority for oncofertility care to ensure that equitable access to the best standard of care is available for all patients.

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Cyclophosphamide treatment can cause premature ovarian failure. This pilot study evaluates the protective effect of the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, cetrorelix, on ovarian function, when used during cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in women aged 18-35. Primary outcomes measured were serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and inhibin prior to and at 6 and 12 months after chemotherapy.

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Cryostorage of reproductive potential, in the form of ovarian cortex, for young women about to undergo cytotoxic therapies has been offered clinically for some time. However, the prospects of re-establishing reproductive function using this tissue remain unclear. We now report reproducible follicular development, oocyte retrieval and embryo development following heterotopic grafting of cryopreserved ovarian cortex which had been stored for over 10 years.

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Objective: To describe the detection of Hodgkin lymphoma within ovarian tissue taken at the time of harvest for cryopreservation.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University-affiliated women's hospital.

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Preservation of fertility is important to adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of cancer. Many survivors will maintain their reproductive potential after the successful completion of treatment for cancer. However total-body irradiation, radiation to the gonads, and chemotherapy regimens containing high-dose alkylators can place women at risk for acute ovarian failure or premature menopause and men at risk for temporary or permanent azoospermia.

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Survival rates for patients treated for the majority of childhood and young adult cancers have improved dramatically in recent years. Despite the high probability of survival, and often good quality of life in female survivors, until recently the concept of fertility preservation has not been seen to be an important component of the overall management of these patients. Over the last few years, various protection and preservation strategies have been developed, which may address potential reproductive concerns.

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