Academic Journal
Fertility preservation and the terminally ill patient: A case report with considerations for practice.
| Title: | Fertility preservation and the terminally ill patient: A case report with considerations for practice. |
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| Authors: | Norling T; Specialist Palliative Care, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Servicehttps://ror.org/04zt8gw89, Gold Coast, Australia., Tapfield M; Specialist Palliative Care, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Servicehttps://ror.org/04zt8gw89, Gold Coast, Australia., Ranse K; Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Healthhttps://ror.org/03pnv4752, Kelvin Grove, Australia. |
| Source: | Palliative & supportive care [Palliat Support Care] 2026 Jul 15; Vol. 24, pp. e198. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jul 15. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Case Reports |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Cambridge University Press Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101232529 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1478-9523 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14789515 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Palliat Support Care Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, c2003- |
| MeSH Terms: | Fertility Preservation*/methods , Fertility Preservation*/psychology , Fertility Preservation*/standards , Terminally Ill*/psychology, Palliative Care/methods ; Cryopreservation/methods ; Astrocytoma/complications ; Humans ; Male ; Adult |
| Abstract: | Objective: To raise awareness of fertility preservation and counseling in palliative care and explore considerations for practice. Methods: This case report describes the rapid decline and death of a 36-year-old man with astrocytoma. Despite early fertility discussions with the palliative care team, sudden clinical deterioration prevented semen collection prior to death. Following death, the spouse requested post-death sperm retrieval. Results: Post-death sperm retrieval and cryopreservation were successfully completed within the viability window. To achieve this, urgent interdisciplinary coordination across palliative care, emergency medicine, reproductive specialists, and hospital legal and executive teams was required. Significance of Results: The case highlights the importance of early and ongoing fertility counseling for patients of reproductive age in palliative care. It demonstrates that clear pathways and coordinated systems can enable post-death sperm retrieval when aligned with patient and partner wishes. The development of evidence-based policies, training, and patient resources may reduce barriers and support clinicians to conduct sensitive, informed fertility discussions. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Fertility preservation; communication; family planning; palliative care; terminal care |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260715 Date Completed: 20260715 Latest Revision: 20260715 |
| Update Code: | 20260716 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/S1478951526103150 |
| PMID: | 42454422 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1478-9523 |
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| DOI: | 10.1017/S1478951526103150 |