In a groundbreaking medical achievement, doctors in the UAE have successfully frozen the ovarian tissue of a seven-year-old girl with cancer to preserve her fertility, marking the first time this procedure has been performed on a minor in the country. The operation was conducted by the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre (ADSCC) in collaboration with ART Fertility Clinics.
The young girl, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, underwent an intense treatment regimen, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, with her brother serving as the donor. Prior to these treatments, specialists at the ADSCC proactively performed cryopreservation of her ovarian tissue with her family’s consent, to safeguard her future fertility against the damaging effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
According to a WAM report, the procedure involved removing one of the girl’s ovaries, which was then processed and preserved at ART Fertility Clinics. The ovarian tissue was meticulously cut into thin slices and treated to prevent cell damage before being gradually cooled and stored in liquid nitrogen at temperatures as low as -196 degrees Celsius. This preservation method aims to maintain the tissue’s viability for at least 20 years, allowing for the possibility of future re-implantation to enhance the patient’s fertility.
Three months after her bone marrow transplant, the girl is reported to be in remission and stable. Freezing ovarian tissue is a cutting-edge technology used globally to protect fertility in patients undergoing treatments that may harm their reproductive organs.
Dr. Rashid Obaid Al Suwaidi of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi highlighted that this achievement reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to advancing its healthcare system. Dr. Maysoon Al Karam of ADSCC emphasized that this milestone aligns with their goal of providing comprehensive care for bone marrow transplant patients and represents significant progress in pediatric cancer treatment and fertility preservation.