Sexual Function and Fertility Aspects in the Management of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer

Hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) affects a younger patient population than sporadic CRC. Sexual function is of great importance in this age group, and fertility is at its peak. Surgical extirpative procedures for hereditary CRC may affect reproductive function. Additional adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemoradiation, when required, may impair fertility as well. Most discussions with patients with hereditary CRC focus on major surgical complications, standard adjuvant therapy complications, cancer survival, and tumor recurrence. Physicians participating in the care of these patients need to provide information regarding effects of treatment on reproductive function and fertility preservation options.