Sperm banking: use and outcomes in patients treated for testicular cancer

OBJECTIVE To identify the frequency that sperm banking was used by men being treated for testicular cancer at our institution, and to characterize the differences between men choosing to bank sperm or not, and outcomes in terms of after-treatment pregnancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS A questionnaire addressing sperm banking and fertility was administered to men treated for testicular cancer at our institution between 1994 and 2004; the results were evaluated statistically. RESULTS Overall, 31 of 129 (24%) respondents had banked sperm. Of these, two had used their banked sperm to father a child, and 12 had had children naturally. Men who banked sperm were a mean of 10.3 years younger (P < 0.001) and less likely to have children at the time of diagnosis (P < 0.025) than men choosing not to bank sperm. The cost of banking sperm was reported to include a mean fee of US $358 (median 300, range 0-1000), and a mean annual maintenance fee of $243.86 (median 300, range 0-1200). CONCLUSIONS Only a minority of men in this study chose to bank sperm (24%). Among those who did, the use of banked sperm was low (< 10%), and many men could have children without using banked sperm. Given the relatively high costs of sperm banking and the low rate of sample use, patients should be counselled on the costs and benefits of sperm banking before treatment for testicular cancer.