Do all cancer treatments cause infertility?

No. Not all cancer treatments cause infertility. The National Cancer Institute says that whether your fertility is affected depends on several things. These include the type of treatment or treatments, the amount (dose), and how long treatment lasts. Your age at the time of treatment matters, and so does how much time has passed since then. The type of cancer counts too, and whether the tumor is near reproductive organs. Your fertility before treatment and your other health factors also play a part.

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, chemotherapy drugs called alkylating agents carry a high risk. Radiation to the reproductive organs, pelvis, or brain can affect fertility as well. 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 best way to understand your own case 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.