The Oncofertility Consortium at Northwestern University is developing new techniques for the long term preservation of human ovarian tissue. This collaborative group of researchers and scientists are exploring ways to remove immature follicles from ovarian tissue, freeze the follicles, and later mature them in the laboratory into eggs that can potentially be fertilized. This technology is particularly valuable to cancer patients who may use follicles from cyropreserved (frozen) ovarian tissues to initiate pregnancies after cancer treatment has been completed and the patient has recovered.

At this time, seven live births have been published in peer-reviewed journals using various methods of transplanted ovarian tissue. Although this technique is still investigational, remarkable progress has been made within the past year. For this reason, women who are interested in cryopreserving one of their ovaries for possible future use and for furthering research are encouraged to participate in the ongoing clinical research projects of the Oncofertility Consortium.

Eligible participants will have one ovary surgically removed in an outpatient procedure called laproscopy before starting their cancer treatment. Eighty percent of the ovary will be preserved for the patient's future use and 20% will be used by researchers to investigate various aspects of follicle growth, development and maturation in a laboratory environment. If you are interested in this study, let your oncologist know before starting your treatment.