Radiation treatment for testicular or other cancers near the testes can damage the testis, leaving permanent problems with sperm production. Radiation therapy is designed to attack and destroy rapidly dividing cells, so the lining of the sperm-producing tubes in the testis can easily be damaged.
During radiotherapy, a healthy testis is protected from the X-rays but some exposure may happen and sometimes lowers sperm counts. This can be temporary or permanent.
What treatment is recommended for men who are having radiation therapy for cancer?
All men who are about to have radiotherapy should discuss the effects of their treatment on their fertility with their doctors. Semen samples should be collected and frozen at a fertility clinic with liquid nitrogen storage facilities, before radiation treatment starts. Semen can be stored long-term for future use. If men want children at a later stage, the frozen semen can be thawed and used in fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
Reduced fertility or sterility after radiation therapy depends on the dose received by the testis. With low doses sperm production can return to normal after a while. As radiation can cause genetic damage in the germ cell (precursors of sperm), it is advisable to avoid attempting a pregnancy for at least six to 12 months after radiation treatment.
