We've learned of a potentially big breakthrough that could help women extend the years that they're fertile.

A company is now close to commercializing a way to "freeze" a woman's unfertilized eggs.

MORE ON THIS STORY Details from Viacell

Doctors have long been able to freeze sperm and later thaw it to fertilize eggs. But so far they've had little success freezing unfertilized eggs, without damaging them in the process.

But now a Boston company, Viacell says it's close to commercializing a new technique developed by Massachusetts General Hospital that would allow women to freeze their unfertilized eggs for possible later use.

"It's a tremendous breakthrough," said Marc Beer of Viacell.

The company says the new technique could offer new hope to women who have cancer, fertility problems or want to delay having children until later in life.

It's welcome news for women like 34-year-old Karen Angelli, who already has one child but would consider freezing her eggs so she could have the option of having another further down the road.

"It takes the pressure off women having to find Mr. Right," she said.

In the next few months, Viacell will begin conducting clinical trials, using eggs from volunteers contracted through a Boston clinic.

If goes all well, the company hopes to be able to offer this service to women in a few months.