Leukemia and the Reproductive System
To first understand how Leukemia affects the Reproductive system you must first understand what the reproductive system is.
Reproductive System: The reproductive system for the boy consists of the penis, testis, urethra, prostate gland, seminal vesicle and the scrotum. For girls it consists of the fallopian tube, uterus, ovary, vagina and the cervix. The function in essence is to sexually reproduce. (3)
For the most part it is not Leukemia itself that causes infertility but the radiation treatment itself that causes infertility. Usually depending on the age group, and the type of treatment you receive can cause infertility. Leukemia does not directly affect the reproductive system but the treatment itself does. For example Chemotherapy can cause infertility for the males meaning no sperm in the semen and can cause the inability for ovaries to be released into the egg. When Leukemia affects the male reproductive system, the white blood swells can clog the area around the testes and cause swelling. (1,2)
Sources Used:
(1)http://lymphoma.about.com/od/livingwithleukemia/a/How-Does-Cancer-Effect-Fertility.htm
(2)http://cancer.osu.edu/patientsandvisitors/cancerinfo/cancertypes/leukemia/faq/pages/index.aspx
(3)http://regentsprep.org/regents/biology/units/reproduction/human.cfm
To first understand how Leukemia affects the Reproductive system you must first understand what the reproductive system is.
Reproductive System: The reproductive system for the boy consists of the penis, testis, urethra, prostate gland, seminal vesicle and the scrotum. For girls it consists of the fallopian tube, uterus, ovary, vagina and the cervix. The function in essence is to sexually reproduce. (3)
For the most part it is not Leukemia itself that causes infertility but the radiation treatment itself that causes infertility. Usually depending on the age group, and the type of treatment you receive can cause infertility. Leukemia does not directly affect the reproductive system but the treatment itself does. For example Chemotherapy can cause infertility for the males meaning no sperm in the semen and can cause the inability for ovaries to be released into the egg. When Leukemia affects the male reproductive system, the white blood swells can clog the area around the testes and cause swelling. (1,2)
Sources Used:
(1)http://lymphoma.about.com/od/livingwithleukemia/a/How-Does-Cancer-Effect-Fertility.htm
(2)http://cancer.osu.edu/patientsandvisitors/cancerinfo/cancertypes/leukemia/faq/pages/index.aspx
(3)http://regentsprep.org/regents/biology/units/reproduction/human.cfm