How to cite: Patel D. “Infertility and Cancer: Impact of Disease and Treatment.” Grand Rounds in Urology. November 13, 2025. Accessed Feb 2026. https://grandroundsinurology.com/infertility-and-cancer-impact-of-disease-and-treatment/
Summary
Darshan P. Patel, MD, Associate Professor of Urology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, examines the relationship between cancer, cancer treatment, and male infertility, with emphasis on early counseling and fertility preservation. Dr. Patel discusses how cancer itself may impair spermatogenesis prior to treatment, particularly in men with testicular cancer and systemic malignancies.
The gonadotoxic effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical treatments are reviewed, including dose-dependent risks of azoospermia and ejaculatory dysfunction. Sperm cryopreservation is highlighted as the gold standard for fertility preservation, with discussion of onco-testicular sperm extraction and post-treatment microsurgical sperm retrieval for azoospermic patients.
Post-treatment management strategies for cancer survivors desiring fertility are outlined, including medical therapies for hypogonadism that avoid suppression of spermatogenesis. Dr. Patel also shares future directions in fertility preservation and reproductive options for male cancer survivors.
About the 32nd Annual Perspectives in Urology: Point Counterpoint conference: Presented by Program Chair and Grand Rounds in Urology Editor-in-Chief E. David Crawford, MD, this conference brought together leading experts in urology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology to discuss and debate the latest topics in genitourinary cancers, primarily prostate cancer and bladder cancer. This interactive conference offered topical lectures, pro/con debates, interesting-case presentations, interactive panel discussions, and interactive audience and faculty networking.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darshan P. Patel, MD, is an Associate Professor of Urology at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Patel specializes in men's urologic health, including male infertility, low testosterone, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, prosthetic urology, and cosmetic lower genitourinary reconstruction. He is an expert in microsurgical vasectomy reversal, varicocele repair, testicular sperm extraction, as well as medical treatments and advanced surgical reconstruction for complex Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction.
