Do all cancer treatments cause infertility?

No. Not all cancer treatments cause infertility. According to the National Cancer Institute, whether your fertility is affected depends on several things: the type of cancer treatment or treatments, the amount (dose) and length of treatment, your age at the time of treatment, how much time has passed since treatment, the type of cancer and whether the tumor is near reproductive organs, your fertility before treatment, and other personal health factors.

Because of this, two people with the same cancer can have very different outcomes. Some treatments carry a higher risk to fertility than others. For example, certain chemotherapy drugs called alkylating agents carry a high risk, and radiation to the reproductive organs, pelvis, or brain can also affect fertility. Other treatments may have little or no effect.

Any change to fertility may be temporary or permanent, depending on the treatment and the person. The most reliable way to understand your own situation is to ask your care team how your recommended treatment could affect your fertility, ideally before treatment begins. They can also refer you to a fertility specialist who can explain your options.