Cancer Treatment Modalities and Female Fertility Preservation

Oncofertility is the practice of joining oncology clinicians with reproductive endocrinologists to assess patients' tumor biology, tumor stage, and mutation analysis to discuss the infertility risks from tumor-directed treatments and provide fertility preservation opportunities to patients who will undergo or have received tumor-directed therapy since cancer treatments can affect fertility. Tumor-directed therapies, such as radiation and antineoplastic agents, have greatly expanded beyond traditional deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-damaging agents to encompass pharmacologic agents, such as targeted monoclonal antibodies, kinase inhibitors, and immune activating therapies that may have varying effects on women's fertility. Here, we review the current literature to provide a comprehensive summary on the effect of cancer treatment modalities on female fertility, fertility preservation options in female patients, and the role of pharmacists in oncofertility practice.