Cytotoxic chemotherapy and gonadal function in patients with Hodgkin's disease. Facts and thoughts
S. B. Sutcliffe
Castration commonly appears to be the price of "cure" in patients treated
with chemotheraphy for Hodgkin's disease. Awareness and anticipation by the
physician, with appropriate counseling of the patient on the profound
psychological and emotional changes occasioned by chemotherapeutic
treatment, may provide benefit both in terms of acceptance of therapy and
in adjustment of changes in interpersonal relationships. From this point,
attention should be directed to (1) replacement of evident hormonal
deficiency, (2) artificial preservation of viable germ cells, and (3) means
of avoidance of germ cell damage by chemotherapy.
