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Your Questions About Oncofertility, Answered

Authored and medically reviewed by Dr. Elizabeth Fino

Dr. Fino is actively involved in research and education and serves as the Associate Director of the NYU Langone Fellowship Program in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

For patients navigating a cancer diagnosis or other medical condition that may impact your reproductive health, we’re here for you. As comprehensive fertility health care providers, we are proud to offer safe and time-sensitive care for patients who choose to freeze eggs or embryos ahead of undergoing chemotherapy or other iatrogenic surgery.

Patients undergoing fertility preservation due to medical necessity will work with Dr. Elizabeth Fino, who specializes in our fast-track process. We are proud to offer patients from across New York City and the world immediate and efficient fertility care prior to life-saving treatment. In the post below, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about oncofertility at NYU Langone Fertility Center.

What is oncofertility?

Oncofertility refers to the area of medicine that bridges oncology and reproductive endocrinology to maximize the reproductive potential of cancer patients and survivors. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can negatively impact fertility and it’s often difficult to predict whether a patient will remain fertile following their cancer treatment. We encourage all patients who wish to undergo medical fertility preservation to do so before beginning their cancer treatment.

Is oncofertility the same as fertility preservation?

Yes and no. While the ovulation induction and egg retrieval process is the same for both, patients undergoing elective egg or embryo freezing are limited to a day two cycle start. Patients undergoing oncofertility cycles are not limited to a day two start. Due to the time sensitive nature of this treatment, some patients may also receive an accelerated course of care.

What are my fertility preservation options?

Patients looking to undergo fertility preservation ahead of receiving cancer treatment can choose between egg freezing (stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs and freezing them for future use to create embryos) or embryo banking (creating and freezing embryos for future use).Genetic testing is available for patients who choose to freeze embryos.

How much does oncofertility and fertility preservation cost?

We are committed to providing compassionate, individualized, and cost-effective options for you to build your family. This table is intended as a guide—your unique care plan will determine all applicable cycle fees. The figures below represent a self-pay cycle. Depending on your insurance plan, some of the below costs may be eligible for coverage.

Additionally, NYU Langone Fertility Center participates in the LIVESTRONG Fertility Discount Program and the Ferring Pharmaceuticals Heart Beat Program to provide cost assistance for our patients battling a cancer diagnosis.

Pricing for medical fertility preservation of eggs can be broken down as follows:

• Egg Freezing Cycle - $6950 (including one year of storage)
• Egg storage following the first year - $750 (per year)
• Anesthesia - $1100
• Medication - $2000-8000

Pricing for medical fertility preservation of embryos can be broken down as follows:

• Egg Freezing Cycle - $6950 (including one year of storage)
• Egg storage following the first year - $750 (per year)
• Anesthesia - $1100
• Medication - $2000-8000
• Optional Preimplantation Genetic Testing - $4600

This includes biopsy and freezing of up to 10 embryos. There is an additional $450 charge per embryo if the number of embryos the patient wishes to test exceeds 10.

How does oncofertility treatment work?

Oncofertility treatment for the preservation of eggs and/or embryos involves ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. Below is an overview of the process. Fertility preservation takes approximately 12 to 14 days from the beginning of the treatment cycle. Patients can begin receiving cancer treatment immediately following the completion of their fertility preservation cycle.

• The patient first meets with an oncologist to determine appropriate cancer treatment and to assess the need for medical fertility preservation.
• Approximately 24-72 hours following the oncology appointment (depending upon when the patient is scheduled to start cancer treatment), the patient meets with a NYU Langone Fertility Center Reproductive Endocrinologist to determine a treatment plan for fertility preservation.
• The patient then meets with our dedicated nursing staff to complete a physical examination, to order medications, and to determine if the patient has insurance coverage or is eligible for any treatment grants or financing options.
• The patient then undergoes the ovulation induction and egg retrieval process. Please note that in medical fertility preservation cycles, the patient is not limited to a day two cycle start. The full ovulation induction and egg retrieval process takes approximately 12-14 days, although the length of each cycle varies depending upon how each patient responds to treatment.
• Following an egg retrieval, the patient is ready to begin cancer treatment immediately and typically begins within 1-2 days.

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