Preserving a Future: 12-Year-Old Cancer Patient Given Reproductive Choice

For 12-year-old Chloe Dixon, a resident of Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., the battle against rhabdomyosarcoma—a rare and aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma of the mouth—involved more than just chemotherapy and surgery. It involved a difficult conversation about her future autonomy.

As reported by CBC News, Dixon's treatment plan included a procedure to preserve her fertility, as many cancer therapies can damage a patient's reproductive capabilities. In August 2025, doctors performed ovarian tissue cryopreservation on Dixon through a collaborative effort between Mount Sinai Fertility Clinic and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Ontario. The process involves removing one ovary, which is then processed, frozen, and stored for potential future reimplantation.

Dr. Kriti Kumar, a pediatric oncologist at SickKids and co-lead of the program, explained to CBC News that such options are vital because treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can accelerate the loss of eggs, potentially leading to menopause in a patient's teens or 20s. Kumar emphasized that the goal is to ensure pediatric survivors do not just survive, but thrive with full lives.

For Dixon and her family, the decision was an emotional weight balanced against a medical necessity. Paul Dixon, Chloe's father, told CBC News that the family felt overwhelmed when the option was first presented amid the chaos of a cancer diagnosis. However, he expressed gratitude that hospital staff included Chloe in the medical discussions.

While Dixon admitted she was initially shocked by the conversation and found it "a bit of a weird conversation," she ultimately decided it was the safer option. Dr. Kumar noted that while no patient has yet had their tissue reimplanted, fewer than 20 children have undergone the procedure via the SickKids program.