Addressing reproductive health needs of cancer patients: The pilot experience of pioneering oncofertility clinic in Saudi Arabia.

37 Background: Fertility and reproductive health issues are commonly encountered in cancer patients and survivors and unfortunately, they are not systematically addressed in many cancer care centers. We are reporting the initial experience in our dedicated Oncofertility Clinic that was established to address all reproductive and fertility issues for all oncology patients at our cancer center. Methods: We launched the first dedicated oncofertility clinic in the region on April 2018, staffed by a consultant of obstetrics and gynecology with the help of a team from in vitro fertilization (IVF) unit and a medical oncologist. It is held on a weekly basis and receives referral from medical oncology, hematology, stem cell transplant and radiation oncology. Eligible patients are males and premenopausal females going for chemotherapy or radiation therapy aiming for fertility preservation or cancer survivors who completed treatment and complaining of infertility problems. The clinic provides fertility preservation through the following procedures: Oocytes freezing (OF), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), sperm freezing, and ovarian transposition. Oncofertility care also includes management of sexual and hormonal dysfunction, and contraception methods. We are capturing the demographic, clinical data of all patients who were served in the clinic and the number of interventions and procedures that they underwent. Results: Between April 2018 and April of 2020, the clinic served 100 patients 60% were female, Median age was 35 years (16 -39). Diagnoses were distributed between breast cancer (36%), lymphoma (10%), and sickle cell anemia patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (10%). The table depicts the types and number of procedures performed on these patients. Conclusions: Our pilot experience revealed the critical need of such clinic to help patients in fertility preservation, management of symptoms of gonadal toxicity. Future plans include implementation of systematic screening approach cancer populations who will benefit from the services and monitor the long- term impact of the clinic on the served patients. [Table: see text]