To compare pre-orchiectomy sperm cryopreservation use in testicular cancer patients at a private tertiary care academic center and an affiliated public safety-net hospital.

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent radical orchiectomy for testicular cancer at a private tertiary-care hospital, which cared primarily for patients with private health insurance, and at a public “safety-net” facility, which cared for patients regardless of insurance status. Clinical and demographic predictors of cryopreservation use prior to orchiectomy were determined by chart review.

A total of 201 patients formed the study cohort, 106 (53%) at the safety-net hospital and 95 (47%) at the private hospital. Safety net patients were more likely to be non-White (82% vs 15%, P < 0.001), uninsured (80% vs 12%, P < 0.001), Spanish speaking (38% vs 5.6%, P < 0.001), and to reside in areas in the bottom quartile of income (41% vs 5.6%, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, treatment at the private tertiary care center was strongly associated with use of cryopreservation (OR 5.60, 95% CI 1.74 - 20.4, P = 0.005, though the effects of specific demographic factors could not be elucidated due to collinearity.

Among patients with testicular cancer, disparities exist in use of sperm cryopreservation between the private and safety-net settings. Barriers to the use of cryopreservation in the safety-net population should be sought and addressed.