Oncofertility Serbia
About us
Introduction
There is a growing population of young patients who suffer from malignant diseases without previously achieved offspring and whose treatment would lead to partial or total loss of fertility. Also trend of delayed birth, which is a characteristic of modern developed society, as well as advances in medicine with increased rates of early detection and better overall treatment and survival of malignant diseases, lead to a growing number of people seeking to achieve offspring after oncology treatment of gynecological and non-gynecological organic systems, including the most common breast cancer, hematological malignancies, thyroid cancer and melanoma and others.
In addition to these patients who have onset of malignant disease before fertility is achieved, there is a growing number of patients who have malignant diseases that is detected during pregnancy. All of these patients are extremely difficult and complex and require treatment by several different highly specialized experts in different fields of medicine using personalized approach for each patient individually and yet within the framework of all the latest knowledge and clinical practice guidelines.
History
Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University Clinical Center of Serbia was founded in 1923. As part of the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade, this is the largest and oldest institution of this type in the Republic of Serbia. At the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Clinical Center of Serbia in 1952. Franz Novak did the first radical trachelectomy for treatment of cervical cancer, which we can consider to be the beginnings and one of the foundations of the development of Oncofertilithy in the world. During 2010., Clinic was the place were project ,,Cancer and Human Reproduction’’ started and it was supported by the Ministry of Health as well as the Ministry of Science of the Republic of Serbia.
For this project at the Clinic it was formed a multidisciplinary team named board for Cancer and Human Reproduction, unique in the region, which through an interdisciplinary and individualized approach deals with fertility preservation, realization, adequate guidance and completion of pregnancy in young patients with malignant diseases of gynecological and other primary origins. Board was made from subspecialists of gynecological oncology, infertility and reproductive surgery, expert perinatology, gynecological endocrinology, psyho-oncologists, experts in gynecological pathology, internist oncologists and radiologists and experts from other surgical and internist branches depending on origin and type of malignancy.
Due to the growing number of patients, in 2020 we formed the Department for Oncofertility and Reproductive Surgery, where Oncofertility Advisory Office operates. Since the Clinic practically became the Center for the largest number of these patients from the country as well as the region of Montenegro and Republika Srpska, and also the work of the Board and the department made a significant scientific contribution through numerous published publications and a book titled ,,Cancer, Fertility and Pregnancy'' the Ministry of Health has appointed the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics of University Clinical Centre of Serbia for National Reference Centar for oncofertility and fertility preservation.
The National Reference Center for Oncofertility and Fertility Preservation is working closely with other clinics of the Clinical Center of Serbia, the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade, other medical faculties in Serbia and abroad, scientific institutes, other highly specialized medical centers, and directly with highly qualified experts from this field at home and abroad. The National Reference Center for Oncofertility and Fertility Preservation is a member of the Oncofertility Consortium from Northwestern University in Chicago and the International Network for Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy – INCIP based at the University of Leuven, Belgium. So far, more than 900 patients have been treated through The board’s work.
Formation
In accordance with current trends in the world, as a logical consequence and continuation of all activities, there was a need to form an expert-professional-association that deals with these issues. In 2022, at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University Clinical Center of Serbia, where the reference National Center for Oncofertility is grounded, the Serbian Society for Fertility Preservation and Oncofertility was formed.
Modern gynecological practice has led to the development of conservative treatment (sparing surgery – and fertility preservation surgery), in the initial stages of malignant diseases of the gynecological organs – which enables the preservation of reproductive function under strictly defined conditions. As part of the work of the Council of doctors, consultation center, department and the center, it is possible to carry out this kind of treatment in the initial stages of cancer of the cervix, endometrial and ovarian cancer.
Non-surgical conservative treatment of atypical hyperplasia, endometrioid carcinoma in situ and early stages of carcinoma of the uterus – endometrium as well as trophoblastic diseases is also carried out. For all cases, if necessary, appropriate genetic testing is carried out in cooperation with other institutions.
For the purpose of preserving fertility before, during and after treatment, i.e. the application of chemo and radiotherapy for various primary malignant tumors, it is possible to carry out various procedures in the form of ovarian transposition, cryopreservation of ovarian tissue, oocytes or spermatozoa, testicles (at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Clinical Center of Serbia, the cryopreservation program was established in 2009, and there is also the First National Bank for cryopreservation of reproductive cells, tissues and embryos, which was opened in 2019).
After the end of the treatment in the Clinic, it is possible to carry out all types of artificial assisted fertilization as well as the application of in vitro maturation of egg cells. After achieving pregnancy, there is an equally important period for such patients as individualized monitoring of pregnancy by perinatological experts with adequate and necessary professional psycho-oncological support at all times.
Goals
1. Connecting all experts from the country and abroad, especially Oncofertility centers, for the purpose of exchanging data and experiences in order to modernize the preservation of fertility and oncofertility
2. Creation of a national register and a unique database of female patients in our country
3. Support for patients who want to preserve their fertility and suffer from diseases that disturb their reproductive function, whether it is malignant, autoimmune or genetic. The goal is to provide information, educate and enable patients to preserve their fertility without disrupting treatment or the course of the underlying disease.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help young patients who have not achieved their offspring and suffer from malignant diseases or various other chronic non-malignant diseases, and who have the treatment that would lead to the loss of reproductive function, if possible, to cure their disease in the most effective and fast way possible and preserve reproductive function and then in such conditions, they achieve pregnancy, adequately carry the pregnancy and have healthy children.
Our Vision
The Serbian Society for Fertility Preservation and Oncofertility unites a multidisciplinary team of experts who proactively help patients who are concerned about future infertility due to various malignant and benign chronic diseases to preserve their chances for future reproduction with adequate treatment of the primary disease. The association is constantly working on improving communication and exchange of knowledge with faster connection with other international organizations as well as directly with all experts dealing with this difficult problem. It also aims to better acquaint the broader professional public as well as society as a whole with this topic.
All this enables such patients easier access and leads to faster and more efficient treatment and better outcomes of the treatment of the underlying disease as well as the later achievement of reproductive function.