Contraceptive counseling for patients receiving antineoplastic agents is illustrated by the case of a patient with Hodgkin's disease. After the patient began treatment, he married his girlfriend and desired to have children in the near future. Clinicians are alerted to the sexual needs of the cancer patient and the need for contraception assessment in patients of reproductive years. An outline for informing cancer patients about contraception is provided.
SchaferA.I.Teratogenic effects of antileukemic chemotherapy. Arch Intern Med1981; 141: 514–5.
2.
StephensJ.D., GolbusM.S., MillerT.R., WilberR.R., EpsteinC.J.Multiple congenital anomalies in a fetus exposed to 5-fluorouracil during the first trimester. An J Obstet Gynecol1980; 137: 747–9.
3.
ButcherR.E., WoottenV., VorheesC.V.Standards in behavioral teratology testing: test variability and sensitivity. Teratogen Carcinogen Mutagen1980; 1: 49–61.
4.
ScheinP.S., WinokurS.H.Immunosuppressive and cytotoxic chemotherapy: long-term complications. Ann Intern Med1979; 82: 84–95.
5.
D'AngioG.J.Complications of treatment encountered in lymphoma-leukemia long-term survivors. Cancer1978; 42: 1015–25.
6.
BenderR.A., YoungR.C.Effects of cancer treatment on individual and generational genetics. Semin Oncol1978; 5: 47–56.
7.
KaempferS.H.The effects of cancer chemotherapy on reproduction: a review of the literature. Oncol Nurs Forum1981; 8: 11–17.
8.
AccolaK.M., SommerfieldD.P.Helping people with cancer consider parenthood. Am J Nurs1979; 79: 1580–3.
9.
BlattJ., MulvihillJ.J., ZieglerJ.L., YoungR.C., PoplackD.G.Pregnancy outcome following cancer chemotherapy. Am J Med1980; 69: 826–32.
10.
LevittD.Z.Effects of cancer chemotherapy on sperm production (letter). Oncol Nurs Forum1981; 8: 39–40.
