My husband is 36, he's had surgery to remove rectal cancer (all successful) but has been told that 5/21 nodes tested positive so will need adjuvant chemotherapy.
We haven't had children yet so the fertility risks are obviously extremely worrying to us. We were worried about the surgery damaging his function but thankfully all is well! He will be able to bank sperm prior to start chemotherapy, which is obviously a good back up but like anyone we still hope to conceive naturally.
Does anyone have any success with conceiving after chemotherapy? (could be 6m of FOLFOX chemo, but not sure yet)
Male Fertility after Chemo
-
LivinginHope
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:42 am
Male Fertility after Chemo
Husband (37):
- 10/20 Rectal CA, LAR, 21 nodes removed
- 10/20 5/21 positive=Adj Chemo. Surgery=R0
- 11/20 Sperm banked
- 12/20 Onc appt: confirmed T3N2M0, regional not distant nodes. Pre-op CEA 2.7/post op 0.7. No mutations. Plan 6m CAPOX.
- 12/20 Round 1
- 1/21 Onc appt: new evidence, 3m is as good as 6m, REDUCED regime to 3m! Round 2. Pre-chemo CEA 0.6
- 1/21 Round 3. Pre-chemo CEA 1.1
- 2/21 Round 4.
- 3/21 Chemo ends
- 07/21 CLEAR CT SCAN & CEA 0.7
-10/21 CEA 1.1
- 04/22 CEA 1.3
- 10/22 CEA 1.4
- 10/20 Rectal CA, LAR, 21 nodes removed
- 10/20 5/21 positive=Adj Chemo. Surgery=R0
- 11/20 Sperm banked
- 12/20 Onc appt: confirmed T3N2M0, regional not distant nodes. Pre-op CEA 2.7/post op 0.7. No mutations. Plan 6m CAPOX.
- 12/20 Round 1
- 1/21 Onc appt: new evidence, 3m is as good as 6m, REDUCED regime to 3m! Round 2. Pre-chemo CEA 0.6
- 1/21 Round 3. Pre-chemo CEA 1.1
- 2/21 Round 4.
- 3/21 Chemo ends
- 07/21 CLEAR CT SCAN & CEA 0.7
-10/21 CEA 1.1
- 04/22 CEA 1.3
- 10/22 CEA 1.4
-
I_will_fight
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 3:38 pm
Re: Male Fertility after Chemo
Hi Livinghope,
A question for you: can you consult with a fertility clinic? I believe they can preserve sperm which can be used later for insemination
I don´t have any direct knowledge of the issues but as per below study effect of oxiloplatin on male fertility is mostly temporary
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26443807/
"Wider implications of the findings: Due to high survival rates of colorectal cancer patients of reproductive age that were diagnosed at early stages of the disease, the issue of treatment-induced gonadotoxicity gains significance. Since at the individual level there might be a risk of infertility, a detailed discussion and referral to fertility preservation prior to initiation of treatment is recommended. Nevertheless, oxaliplatin-based protocols appear to be less gonadotoxic than other chemotherapeutic protocols."
Slightly offtopic:
1) It seems 3 months of FOLFOX/CAPOX is not inferior to 6 months for stage 2 patients, you may want to ask your oncologist about this.
2) Tell your husband to consider ice therapy in hands, feet and tongue during the Oxaliplatin to diminish the risk of neuropathy.
Best recovery wishes for your husband!
Javi
A question for you: can you consult with a fertility clinic? I believe they can preserve sperm which can be used later for insemination
I don´t have any direct knowledge of the issues but as per below study effect of oxiloplatin on male fertility is mostly temporary
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26443807/
"Wider implications of the findings: Due to high survival rates of colorectal cancer patients of reproductive age that were diagnosed at early stages of the disease, the issue of treatment-induced gonadotoxicity gains significance. Since at the individual level there might be a risk of infertility, a detailed discussion and referral to fertility preservation prior to initiation of treatment is recommended. Nevertheless, oxaliplatin-based protocols appear to be less gonadotoxic than other chemotherapeutic protocols."
Slightly offtopic:
1) It seems 3 months of FOLFOX/CAPOX is not inferior to 6 months for stage 2 patients, you may want to ask your oncologist about this.
2) Tell your husband to consider ice therapy in hands, feet and tongue during the Oxaliplatin to diminish the risk of neuropathy.
Best recovery wishes for your husband!
Javi
46 yo male Spain
06/2020 - 6cm T3N0M0 CC splenic flex
3 and 4 mm lung ground glass
lymp 0/37
dMMR MSH6
KRAS mt G13D
V/LNI absent
PNI present
07/20 - hemicol surg, optimistic surgeon.
11/20 - 4 x CAPOX completed.
12/20 - Clear colonoscopy
02/21 - MRI liver lesion unchanged.
11/21 - Clear CT
02/22- Colonoscopy: Sessil polyp 3mm
05/22- Clear CT
06/22- Negative Signatera
12/22- Negative Signatera
01/23- Clear CT
07/23- Clear CT, normal markers.
09/23 - Negative Signatera
01/24 - Clear CT
06/2020 - 6cm T3N0M0 CC splenic flex
3 and 4 mm lung ground glass
lymp 0/37
dMMR MSH6
KRAS mt G13D
V/LNI absent
PNI present
07/20 - hemicol surg, optimistic surgeon.
11/20 - 4 x CAPOX completed.
12/20 - Clear colonoscopy
02/21 - MRI liver lesion unchanged.
11/21 - Clear CT
02/22- Colonoscopy: Sessil polyp 3mm
05/22- Clear CT
06/22- Negative Signatera
12/22- Negative Signatera
01/23- Clear CT
07/23- Clear CT, normal markers.
09/23 - Negative Signatera
01/24 - Clear CT
-
LivinginHope
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:42 am
Re: Male Fertility after Chemo
Hello,
Thank you so much for replying!
In my crazy level of googling over the past few days, I have read that paper
!! It does give me some hope - of course nothing will relieve the fear/anxiety until after the chemo and when we know it's lasting effects! We will 100% be freezing sperm prior to treatment as an insurance policy. Just sad to think the chance to do it naturally could be taken away from us 
I have also seen the paper comparing the outcomes of 3m vs 6m therapy and will definitely be asking about this. Thank you for sharing that with me and confirming my initial thoughts! Thank you for the neuropathy tip too.
Thank you again
Thank you so much for replying!
In my crazy level of googling over the past few days, I have read that paper
!! It does give me some hope - of course nothing will relieve the fear/anxiety until after the chemo and when we know it's lasting effects! We will 100% be freezing sperm prior to treatment as an insurance policy. Just sad to think the chance to do it naturally could be taken away from us I have also seen the paper comparing the outcomes of 3m vs 6m therapy and will definitely be asking about this. Thank you for sharing that with me and confirming my initial thoughts! Thank you for the neuropathy tip too.
Thank you again
Husband (37):
- 10/20 Rectal CA, LAR, 21 nodes removed
- 10/20 5/21 positive=Adj Chemo. Surgery=R0
- 11/20 Sperm banked
- 12/20 Onc appt: confirmed T3N2M0, regional not distant nodes. Pre-op CEA 2.7/post op 0.7. No mutations. Plan 6m CAPOX.
- 12/20 Round 1
- 1/21 Onc appt: new evidence, 3m is as good as 6m, REDUCED regime to 3m! Round 2. Pre-chemo CEA 0.6
- 1/21 Round 3. Pre-chemo CEA 1.1
- 2/21 Round 4.
- 3/21 Chemo ends
- 07/21 CLEAR CT SCAN & CEA 0.7
-10/21 CEA 1.1
- 04/22 CEA 1.3
- 10/22 CEA 1.4
- 10/20 Rectal CA, LAR, 21 nodes removed
- 10/20 5/21 positive=Adj Chemo. Surgery=R0
- 11/20 Sperm banked
- 12/20 Onc appt: confirmed T3N2M0, regional not distant nodes. Pre-op CEA 2.7/post op 0.7. No mutations. Plan 6m CAPOX.
- 12/20 Round 1
- 1/21 Onc appt: new evidence, 3m is as good as 6m, REDUCED regime to 3m! Round 2. Pre-chemo CEA 0.6
- 1/21 Round 3. Pre-chemo CEA 1.1
- 2/21 Round 4.
- 3/21 Chemo ends
- 07/21 CLEAR CT SCAN & CEA 0.7
-10/21 CEA 1.1
- 04/22 CEA 1.3
- 10/22 CEA 1.4
Re: Male Fertility after Chemo
SkiFletch is a long term member (stage iv) and he had a kid after chemo. Good luck to you both!
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 13 years NED). Is this real life?
Re: Male Fertility after Chemo
I was infertile after chemo and radiation treatment, although not sure which was more to blame. Sperm slowly returned after a few years, and I'm happy to report we had 2 additional kiddos since, without medical assistance. I had banked before treatment just in case, but we didn't need it.
Dx 12/11 rectal stage IV w/ 6 mets to liver, age 35
4 cycles FOLFOX 12/11 to 2/12
short course radiation 2/12
rectal/liver resection 3/12, temp ileostomy
8 cycles FOLFOX/FOLFIRI 4/12 to 8/12
ileostomy reversal 10/12
port out 10/13
1/17: Added daughter to family!
12/19: Added son to family!
NED for 11+ years and counting!
4 cycles FOLFOX 12/11 to 2/12
short course radiation 2/12
rectal/liver resection 3/12, temp ileostomy
8 cycles FOLFOX/FOLFIRI 4/12 to 8/12
ileostomy reversal 10/12
port out 10/13
1/17: Added daughter to family!
12/19: Added son to family!
NED for 11+ years and counting!
Re: Male Fertility after Chemo
Ehut wrote:I was infertile after chemo and radiation treatment, although not sure which was more to blame. Sperm slowly returned after a few years, and I'm happy to report we had 2 additional kiddos since, without medical assistance. I had banked before treatment just in case, but we didn't need it.
That's so wonderful to hear!
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 13 years NED). Is this real life?
-
LivinginHope
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:42 am
Re: Male Fertility after Chemo
Hi all,
Sperm banking appt is next week so we're thankful that's happening quickly.
Thank you so much for sharing positive stories, reassuring to hear that there is some hope for us after Chemo!
Still anxious about it all, of course, because the lasting effects aren't known for a while after treatment stops but as long as we feel we have done all we can beforehand, we feel a little more at peace with things.
Thank you again - positive stories are so welcome!
Sperm banking appt is next week so we're thankful that's happening quickly.
Thank you so much for sharing positive stories, reassuring to hear that there is some hope for us after Chemo!
Still anxious about it all, of course, because the lasting effects aren't known for a while after treatment stops
but as long as we feel we have done all we can beforehand, we feel a little more at peace with things.Thank you again - positive stories are so welcome!
Husband (37):
- 10/20 Rectal CA, LAR, 21 nodes removed
- 10/20 5/21 positive=Adj Chemo. Surgery=R0
- 11/20 Sperm banked
- 12/20 Onc appt: confirmed T3N2M0, regional not distant nodes. Pre-op CEA 2.7/post op 0.7. No mutations. Plan 6m CAPOX.
- 12/20 Round 1
- 1/21 Onc appt: new evidence, 3m is as good as 6m, REDUCED regime to 3m! Round 2. Pre-chemo CEA 0.6
- 1/21 Round 3. Pre-chemo CEA 1.1
- 2/21 Round 4.
- 3/21 Chemo ends
- 07/21 CLEAR CT SCAN & CEA 0.7
-10/21 CEA 1.1
- 04/22 CEA 1.3
- 10/22 CEA 1.4
- 10/20 Rectal CA, LAR, 21 nodes removed
- 10/20 5/21 positive=Adj Chemo. Surgery=R0
- 11/20 Sperm banked
- 12/20 Onc appt: confirmed T3N2M0, regional not distant nodes. Pre-op CEA 2.7/post op 0.7. No mutations. Plan 6m CAPOX.
- 12/20 Round 1
- 1/21 Onc appt: new evidence, 3m is as good as 6m, REDUCED regime to 3m! Round 2. Pre-chemo CEA 0.6
- 1/21 Round 3. Pre-chemo CEA 1.1
- 2/21 Round 4.
- 3/21 Chemo ends
- 07/21 CLEAR CT SCAN & CEA 0.7
-10/21 CEA 1.1
- 04/22 CEA 1.3
- 10/22 CEA 1.4
Re: Male Fertility after Chemo
I don't see radiation in your plans, but if you do end up having that done, make sure your radiation oncologist knows that fertility is important to you, and hopefully they can accommodate. In my case, they shifted the beam slightly and gave me a gonadal shield to help protect the jewels.
Dx 12/11 rectal stage IV w/ 6 mets to liver, age 35
4 cycles FOLFOX 12/11 to 2/12
short course radiation 2/12
rectal/liver resection 3/12, temp ileostomy
8 cycles FOLFOX/FOLFIRI 4/12 to 8/12
ileostomy reversal 10/12
port out 10/13
1/17: Added daughter to family!
12/19: Added son to family!
NED for 11+ years and counting!
4 cycles FOLFOX 12/11 to 2/12
short course radiation 2/12
rectal/liver resection 3/12, temp ileostomy
8 cycles FOLFOX/FOLFIRI 4/12 to 8/12
ileostomy reversal 10/12
port out 10/13
1/17: Added daughter to family!
12/19: Added son to family!
NED for 11+ years and counting!
-
LivinginHope
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:42 am
Re: Male Fertility after Chemo
Ehut wrote:I don't see radiation in your plans, but if you do end up having that done, make sure your radiation oncologist knows that fertility is important to you, and hopefully they can accommodate. In my case, they shifted the beam slightly and gave me a gonadal shield to help protect the jewels.
Hi,
We haven't had radiation mentioned to us - I assume that's because the surgery removed the tumour and affected nodes completely, so the chemo is precautionary (adjuvant).
Thank you so much though - really appreciate all the support and advice.
Husband (37):
- 10/20 Rectal CA, LAR, 21 nodes removed
- 10/20 5/21 positive=Adj Chemo. Surgery=R0
- 11/20 Sperm banked
- 12/20 Onc appt: confirmed T3N2M0, regional not distant nodes. Pre-op CEA 2.7/post op 0.7. No mutations. Plan 6m CAPOX.
- 12/20 Round 1
- 1/21 Onc appt: new evidence, 3m is as good as 6m, REDUCED regime to 3m! Round 2. Pre-chemo CEA 0.6
- 1/21 Round 3. Pre-chemo CEA 1.1
- 2/21 Round 4.
- 3/21 Chemo ends
- 07/21 CLEAR CT SCAN & CEA 0.7
-10/21 CEA 1.1
- 04/22 CEA 1.3
- 10/22 CEA 1.4
- 10/20 Rectal CA, LAR, 21 nodes removed
- 10/20 5/21 positive=Adj Chemo. Surgery=R0
- 11/20 Sperm banked
- 12/20 Onc appt: confirmed T3N2M0, regional not distant nodes. Pre-op CEA 2.7/post op 0.7. No mutations. Plan 6m CAPOX.
- 12/20 Round 1
- 1/21 Onc appt: new evidence, 3m is as good as 6m, REDUCED regime to 3m! Round 2. Pre-chemo CEA 0.6
- 1/21 Round 3. Pre-chemo CEA 1.1
- 2/21 Round 4.
- 3/21 Chemo ends
- 07/21 CLEAR CT SCAN & CEA 0.7
-10/21 CEA 1.1
- 04/22 CEA 1.3
- 10/22 CEA 1.4
-
LivinginHope
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:42 am
Re: Male Fertility after Chemo
Little update:
Sperm banking completed! Analysis was really good, freezing & thawing was good so the samples will be able to be used following husbands chemotherapy (IF he is infertile after)
Obviously a good outcome for now, we are still hoping that his fertility does return Post-chemo but it is reassuring to know we have the frozen sperm to use if it doesn't.
If anyone has any other positive stories or advice please share!
Sperm banking completed! Analysis was really good, freezing & thawing was good so the samples will be able to be used following husbands chemotherapy (IF he is infertile after
)Obviously a good outcome for now, we are still hoping that his fertility does return Post-chemo but it is reassuring to know we have the frozen sperm to use if it doesn't.
If anyone has any other positive stories or advice please share!
Husband (37):
- 10/20 Rectal CA, LAR, 21 nodes removed
- 10/20 5/21 positive=Adj Chemo. Surgery=R0
- 11/20 Sperm banked
- 12/20 Onc appt: confirmed T3N2M0, regional not distant nodes. Pre-op CEA 2.7/post op 0.7. No mutations. Plan 6m CAPOX.
- 12/20 Round 1
- 1/21 Onc appt: new evidence, 3m is as good as 6m, REDUCED regime to 3m! Round 2. Pre-chemo CEA 0.6
- 1/21 Round 3. Pre-chemo CEA 1.1
- 2/21 Round 4.
- 3/21 Chemo ends
- 07/21 CLEAR CT SCAN & CEA 0.7
-10/21 CEA 1.1
- 04/22 CEA 1.3
- 10/22 CEA 1.4
- 10/20 Rectal CA, LAR, 21 nodes removed
- 10/20 5/21 positive=Adj Chemo. Surgery=R0
- 11/20 Sperm banked
- 12/20 Onc appt: confirmed T3N2M0, regional not distant nodes. Pre-op CEA 2.7/post op 0.7. No mutations. Plan 6m CAPOX.
- 12/20 Round 1
- 1/21 Onc appt: new evidence, 3m is as good as 6m, REDUCED regime to 3m! Round 2. Pre-chemo CEA 0.6
- 1/21 Round 3. Pre-chemo CEA 1.1
- 2/21 Round 4.
- 3/21 Chemo ends
- 07/21 CLEAR CT SCAN & CEA 0.7
-10/21 CEA 1.1
- 04/22 CEA 1.3
- 10/22 CEA 1.4
-
I_will_fight
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 3:38 pm
Re: Male Fertility after Chemo
Good to hear!
Now let´s hope for good response to chemo and no side effects.
Best of lucks
Now let´s hope for good response to chemo and no side effects.
Best of lucks
46 yo male Spain
06/2020 - 6cm T3N0M0 CC splenic flex
3 and 4 mm lung ground glass
lymp 0/37
dMMR MSH6
KRAS mt G13D
V/LNI absent
PNI present
07/20 - hemicol surg, optimistic surgeon.
11/20 - 4 x CAPOX completed.
12/20 - Clear colonoscopy
02/21 - MRI liver lesion unchanged.
11/21 - Clear CT
02/22- Colonoscopy: Sessil polyp 3mm
05/22- Clear CT
06/22- Negative Signatera
12/22- Negative Signatera
01/23- Clear CT
07/23- Clear CT, normal markers.
09/23 - Negative Signatera
01/24 - Clear CT
06/2020 - 6cm T3N0M0 CC splenic flex
3 and 4 mm lung ground glass
lymp 0/37
dMMR MSH6
KRAS mt G13D
V/LNI absent
PNI present
07/20 - hemicol surg, optimistic surgeon.
11/20 - 4 x CAPOX completed.
12/20 - Clear colonoscopy
02/21 - MRI liver lesion unchanged.
11/21 - Clear CT
02/22- Colonoscopy: Sessil polyp 3mm
05/22- Clear CT
06/22- Negative Signatera
12/22- Negative Signatera
01/23- Clear CT
07/23- Clear CT, normal markers.
09/23 - Negative Signatera
01/24 - Clear CT
Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 276 guests