Gonadal failure after treatment of hematologic malignancies: From recognition to management for health-care providers

Many cancer treatments induce gonadal failure, which can cause infertility and menopausal symptoms in women. Improvements in treatments for hematologic malignancies have extended survival, thus making treatment-induced gonadal failure (TIGF) a more widespread problem. We reviewed the published literature on TIGF with the goal of providing practical information for health-care providers engaged in the management of hematologic malignancies. We conclude that managing TIGF involves risk assessment, provision of information, discussion of potential options for preserving fertility, and referral to appropriate specialists. All patients with hematologic malignancies should be given information regarding TIGF at the earliest possible time, ideally before treatment begins.