Algorithmic Prognostication in Female Oncofertility Counseling: Ethical Challenges of Bias, Autonomy, and Predictive Uncertainty

Résumé fourni par la source

Advances in machine learning, predictive analytics, and clinical prediction modeling have accelerated the development of algorithmic tools for estimating reproductive outcomes after cancer treatment. In female oncofertility counseling, these models may support individualized assessment of treatment-related amenorrhea, premature ovarian insufficiency, and fertility risk, thereby improving risk communication and timely fertility-preservation referral. However, their use raises ethical concerns beyond predictive accuracy. This narrative review examines algorithmic prognostication in female oncofertility counseling, focusing on predictive uncertainty, surrogate reproductive endpoints, missing data, heterogeneous datasets, limited external validation, algorithmic bias, reproductive inequity, and the influence of algorithmic authority on patient autonomy and shared decision-making. We argue that predictive algorithms should be understood as decision-support tools rather than determinants of reproductive futures. Responsible implementation requires transparency, explainability, fairness assessment, ongoing validation, and meaningful human oversight. Algorithmic risk estimates should be communicated as conditional and contextual probabilities within patient-centered counseling, ensuring that predictive tools support informed, transparent, and value-concordant fertility-preservation decisions for women facing cancer treatment.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.