World's First: Colon Cancer Patient Gives Birth to Healthy Baby After Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation and Transplantation

Background

Young women diagnosed with colon cancer often require treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation that can cause irreversible damage to ovarian function. This frequently results in premature ovarian insufficiency, infertility and loss of endocrine function. For many patients, standard egg retrieval for cryopreservation is not feasible due to the urgency of cancer treatment or contraindications to hormonal stimulation. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation has emerged as an established option in selected cases to preserve primordial follicles before gonadotoxic therapy.

Professor Ruan Xiangyan leads a team at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University that established China's first ovarian tissue cryobank in 2012. The group has previously reported successes including China's first ovarian tissue transplantation, first natural pregnancy after the procedure and first live birth in other disease categories such as hematologic conditions.

What was achieved

On September 12, 2026, Professor Ruan Xiangyan announced at the 18th International Symposium on Menopause and Gynecological Endocrine Related Issues the world's first live birth following ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autologous transplantation in a patient with colon cancer. The patient, who was 29 years old and nulliparous at the time of tissue collection prior to chemotherapy, later developed treatment-induced premature ovarian insufficiency.

Following cancer cure, the team performed autologous transplantation of thawed ovarian cortex strips. A first graft of six strips restored ovarian function and spontaneous menstruation for 28 months. A second graft of six additional strips was performed. The patient conceived spontaneously without assisted reproductive technology two months after the second transplantation. She delivered a healthy baby girl at 39 weeks gestation via spontaneous vaginal delivery on August 15, 2026. The infant weighed 2785 g, measured 48.5 cm at birth and had Apgar scores of 8 at one minute and 9 at five minutes. By the time of the announcement the hospital cryobank had completed nearly 1,000 ovarian tissue cryopreservations and 65 transplant procedures with a reported 100 percent success rate in function restoration.

How it works

The ovarian tissue cryopreservation process starts with laparoscopic surgery to remove a portion of ovarian cortex from one ovary before cancer treatment begins. This cortical tissue contains thousands of primordial follicles with immature eggs. The tissue is prepared into thin strips, treated with cryoprotectants to prevent cellular damage from ice crystal formation, and then slowly frozen or vitrified for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen.

After the patient completes cancer treatment, achieves remission and meets medical criteria for transplantation, the frozen strips are thawed using a standardized protocol. In a subsequent laparoscopic or open procedure, the thawed cortical tissue is placed into a prepared peritoneal pocket near the ovarian fossa or onto remaining ovarian tissue. New blood vessels grow into the graft over subsequent weeks, allowing surviving follicles to resume development. This can restore hormone production, menstrual cycles and, in some cases, natural ovulation leading to spontaneous pregnancy, as documented in this patient after the second graft.

What it means for international patients

The reported case expands documented applications of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation to colon cancer survivors, an area previously lacking published live birth outcomes internationally. It reflects the clinical volume and experience accumulated by the Beijing team across multiple disease types.

International patients considering fertility preservation options before oncologic treatment or restoration after recovery should confirm eligibility directly with the hospital. Individual suitability depends on diagnosis, age, treatment history, time since therapy, current disease status and overall health. Sources describe English-language support at the facility as limited. Patients are advised to contact the hospital in advance to verify current protocols, coordination processes for overseas inquiries, required medical documentation and any available support services.

About the hospital

Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, also known as Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, is a tertiary Class A specialized public hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University. Founded in 1959, it operates two campuses in Beijing: the East Campus at 251 Yaojiayuan Road, Chaoyang District, and the West Campus at 17 Qihelou Street, Dongcheng District. The hospital combines clinical care, teaching, research, prevention and health services with emphasis on obstetrics, gynecology, perinatal medicine, gynecological endocrinology and reproductive medicine.

It houses China's first ovarian tissue cryobank, established in 2012 within the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology led by Professor Ruan Xiangyan. The facility functions as a Beijing obstetrics and gynecology consultation center and has engaged in international academic exchanges.