Transplant vs TKI plus baby!
Submitted by Dom on Wed, 13/08/2014 - 17:53.
A big thanks to Chris and Sandy for keeping me right. I know we all have a great deal to be thankful for, and I know that over time I will re-adjust to the new reality. It has been really positive reading through the various posts and it is great to see such positivity within the group. I take all your points on board re transplants and appreciate your time as I'm sure you' ll have answered this question many times! If I could ask one more thing it would be to find out about fathering on gleevic. My wife and I were in the process of trying for a baby when I received my diagnosis. My consultant arranged for the necessary things to be done at the fertility clinic and we are waiting for our first visit together. However I read a post that suggested some doubt had been cast over whether sperm is affected. Is there any up to date info on this issue that you can point me in the directions of.
Many thanks again
Dom
TKI therapy in males wishing to father a child.
Hi Dom, yes you are correct in saying there is doubt about TKi therapy affecting sperm. Certainly in males, there is little doubt amongst the CML clinicians I have spoken to about this, that this class of drugs does not affect sperm. So there is no reason for you not to go ahead with your plans to father a child.
I have asked my own doctor (expert CML with an interest in TKi and pregnancy) about this and she has advised that males taking TKIs are not at any great risk of causing foetal abnormality than the normal population. It is different for women as the risk to the foetus in the first trimester if taking TKI therapy is there. Even so there have been normal births to women who have discovered their pregnancy after starting TKi therapy, but it is not recommended to continue with therapy during pregnancy.
If you would like to be very sure about your risk (or lack of it) then you could ask your doctor (or GP) to refer you to see Prof. Apperley at Hammersmith Hospital. I am sure she would reassure you.
If you need the relevant contact details then let me know and I will forward them to you- cmlsupportgroup@gmail.com
Sandy