Evaluation of contraception methods in chronic myeloid leukemia patients: A Turkish multicenter study

Abstract

Background and Aim

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) incidence has recently increased in younger individuals. With time, given the nature of the disease and available therapies, as well as the existing paucity and inconsistency of advice, worries about fertility have surfaced. With all these clear unknowns, we designed this study to raise awareness among both physicians and CML patients about whether male and female patients of childbearing age were using contraception at the time of diagnosis, and if so, which methods they were using. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the contraception methods in patients with CML.

Materials and Methods

Eighteen centres from Turkey participated in the study. Male and female patients of childbearing age diagnosed with chronic and accelerated phase CML between the years 2000 and 2024 were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

Of the two hundred and thirty-two patients included, one hundred and twenty-five (53.9%) of these patients were female and 107 (46.1%) were male. At diagnosis, all female patients were in the childbearing age, and male patients were sexually active. The median age at diagnosis of the patients was 38 (range, 18–77) years. Eighty-six (68.8%) female patients were using any contraception method, while this was 53.2% (n = 57) among male patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, since CML patients are diagnosed at an earlier age and the desire of these patients to have children, adequate information and evaluation should be provided regarding fertility and contraception issues, especially in female patients, from the moment of diagnosis.