System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 41494211 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgc.2025.102782

Fertility preservation in gynecologic oncology: evaluating knowledge, practices, and barriers among French healthcare providers.

Int J Gynecol Cancer 36(1):102782

Authors: Houssein El Hajj, Phuong Lien Tran, Virginie Collin-Bund, Henri Azais, Guillaume Babin, Francois Margueritte, Yohan Kerbage, Frederic Guyon, Sarah Betrian, Thomas Dabreteau, Cherif Akladios, Sébastien Gouy, Philippe Morice, Elise Deluche, Camille Grysole

Affiliations

  • Gustave Roussy Institute, Gynecologic Oncology Department, Villejuif, France.
  • University Hospital of South Réunion, Department of Gynaecology and obstetrics, Saint Pierre, La Réunion.
  • Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire OMICARE, Faculté de Médecine, Transplantex NG, Institut thématique interdisciplinaire (ITI) de Médecine de Précision de Strasbourg, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR_S 1109, Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, Strasbourg, France.
  • Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Department of Gynaecological Oncological and Breast Surgery, Paris, France.
  • Institut Bergonié, Department of Surgery, Bordeaux, France.
  • University Hospital Center of Limoges, Mother and Child Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Limoges, France.
  • Lille University, University Hospital of Lille, Department of Gynaecological Oncological and Breast Surgery, Lille, France; Laser Assisted Therapies and Immunotherapies for Oncology, Unité Inserm U1189 - OncoThai, Lille, France.
  • Oncopole, Toulouse University Cancer 32 Institute (IUCT), Institut Claudius Regaud, Department of Medical Oncology, Toulouse, France.
  • Gustave Roussy Institute, Gynecologic Oncology Department, Villejuif, France.
  • Gustave Roussy Institute, Gynecologic Oncology Department, Villejuif, France; University Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
  • CHU de Limoges, Department of Medical Oncology, Limoges, France.
  • CHU Lille, Jeanne de Flandre Hospital, Department of Endocrine Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Lille, France.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To assess the knowledge, practices, and referral patterns of health care professionals and fertility preservation specialists regarding fertility preservation in gynecologic oncology in France.

METHODS

In this cross sectional study, an electronic questionnaire was distributed between June 2023 and January 2024 to health care professionals in metropolitan and overseas territories. It included sections on demographics, fertility preservation practices, and technical knowledge, with tailored sections for physicians who are specialists and non-specialists in reproductive medicine.

RESULTS

Sixty-four professionals participated (mean experience: 12 years); 65.6% (42/64) were gynecologic surgeons, and 18.8% (12/64) were specialists in reproductive medicine. Among non-specialists (52/64), 82.7% (43/52) routinely discussed fertility with patients of childbearing age, and 94.2% (49/52) had referred patients for fertility preservation. The mean knowledge score was 1.4/6. Only 23.1% (12/52) reported having written materials for patients, and 65.4% (34/52) indicated that no fertility specialist was present at multidisciplinary meetings. All reproductive medicine specialists (n = 12) reported access to oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation, but 83.3% (10/12) believed patients were under-referred. They emphasized the need for systematic discussions of fertility preservation in multidisciplinary settings and highlighted risks associated with ovarian stimulation and tissue reimplantation. The upper age limit for oocyte cryopreservation was generally under 40 years. Pregnancy outcomes following fertility preservation were limited, primarily in cases of borderline ovarian tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Fertility preservation is recognized as a critical component of gynecologic oncology care, but significant gaps remain in knowledge, referrals, and integration into multidisciplinary care. Strengthening collaboration between oncology and fertility teams, standardizing care pathways, and enhancing education for health care providers are essential steps to improving access and outcomes for patients.

MeSH

Fertility, Genital Neoplasms, Female, Fertility Preservation, Cryopreservation, Oocytes, Health Personnel, Tissues, Reproductive Medicine