Medical Reports: Ovarian Transplant

WSVN -- Joseph Criscuolo is getting ready for his sixth birthday. His mom Jennifer is just grateful to be around for the party.

Jennifer Criscuolo: "I was first diagnosed 15 weeks after my child was born."

She had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and endured seven rounds of chemo. Two years later, the cancer came back.

Jennifer Criscuolo: "It was totally unbelievable."

Another round of rigorous treatment would force the 38-year-old into post-menopause. Jennifer decided to have one of her ovaries removed and frozen.

Jennifer Criscuolo: "Whether you want kids or you don't want kids, when you get better, you want your hormones back in place."

After she went into remission, Jennifer had a minimally invasive procedure to re-implant her ovarian tissue. Doctors sewed eight frozen pieces onto Jennifer's remaining ovary, creating a pocket for new eggs to grow.

Dr. Tamer Yalcinkaya: "Even small pieces of ovary can produce follicles and can release eggs."

Six months after surgery, Jennifer's body was back to normal-- no menopause, no hormone replacements and regular monthly cycles.

Dr. Tamer Yalcinkaya: "Most women would say, 'Why would you want that?' But it's nice to have my hormones functioning again."

Doctors say there's a chance Jennifer could get pregnant again. She's hopeful but satisfied with feeling like herself again.

Jennifer Criscuolo: "It's my right to go through all the different stages of womanhood, so I felt like I deserved that."

Looking forward to the future and enjoying the journey.

Christine Cruz: "Only two-dozen of these procedures have been performed in the world resulting in five births."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Ann Hopkins
Public Relations
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
ahopkins@wfubmc.edu