Children fathered by men treated for testicular cancer conceived before, during and after chemotherapy--examination for evidence of congenital malformations, malignancies and immunological defects.

Abstract

Hundred children of 64 fathers with testicular tumour treated from 1979 on at the National Institute of Oncology, Budapest were studied. Three groups were formed on the basis of the time of conception. 59 children were born before the illness of the fathers, 19 during the 9 pretreatment months and 22 during or after combined chemotherapy. Family anamnesis, perinatal and gestational data were listed, thereafter physical, laboratory, immunological, psychiatric, and, if required, radiological examinations were made. No difference was detectable in the somatic and psychiatric status of the three groups, development was well balanced, corresponding to age. Protocols of the combined chemotherapy applied and incidence of anomalies, malformations, malignancies and other diseases were recorded. Their incidence was similar in all three groups though frequently this was higher than that of the normal population. Often cumulated incidence of severe congenital malformations was found in the group conceived after concluded therapy where twice as many girls were born as boys. The interval between conception and the end of therapy was established in the case of children conceived during and after therapy. This was shortest in the case of healthy children, the number of healthy children conceived during cytostatic treatment was also remarkable. Further compilation of data and individual evaluation of case reports is recommended.