Fertility-preserving treatment in young patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma

Effects of a fertility-sparing re-treatment for recurrent atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer: a systematic literature review

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effectiveness of progestin re-treatment for recurrent endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN), atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AH) and endometrial cancer (EC) following initial fertility-sparing treatment.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by an Expert Panel of the Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology Endometrial Cancer Committee. Multiple search engines, including PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database, were searched in December 2021 using the keywords "Endometrial neoplasms," "Endometrial hyperplasia," "Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia," "Fertility preservation," "Progestins," AND "Recurrence." Cases describing progestin re-treatment for recurrent EIN, AH and EC were compared with cases that underwent conventional hysterectomy. The primary outcomes were survival and disease recurrence, and the secondary outcome was pregnancy.

RESULTS

After screening 238 studies, 32 with results for recurrent treatment were identified. These studies included 365 patients (270 received progestin re-treatment and 95 underwent hysterectomy). Most progestin re-treatment involved medroxyprogesterone acetate or megestrol acetate (94.5%). Complete remission (CR) following progestin re-treatment was achieved in 219 (81.1%) cases, with 3-, 6- and 9-month cumulative CR rates of 22.8%, 51.7% and 82.6%, respectively. Progestin re-treatment was associated with higher risk of disease recurrence than conventional hysterectomy was (odds ratio [OR]=6.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.99-23.10), and one patient (0.4%) died of disease. Fifty-one (14.0%) women became pregnant after recurrence, and progestin re-treatment demonstrated a possibility of pregnancy (OR=2.48; 95% CI=0.94-6.58).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that repeat progestin therapy is an effective option for women with recurrent EIN, AH and EC, who wish to retain their fertility.

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device plus metformin, or megestrol acetate plus metformin for fertility-sparing treatment of atypical endometrial hyperplasia and early endometrial carcinoma: a prospective, randomized, blind-endpoint design trial protocol

Background

Endometrial adenocarcinoma (EC) is the fifth most common cancer in women worldwide, standard treatment for EC includes hysterectomy, but it results in the loss of reproductive function. Thus, conservative treatment for these patients is strongly demanded, progestin therapy is widely accepted as the main fertility-sparing treatment for young women with endometrial hyperplasia with atypia (EHA) and well-differentiated endometrioid endometrial cancer. This trial will investigate the effectiveness of conservative treatment for obese women with early-stage EC.

Method and design

This will be an open-label, 2-armed, randomized, phase-II single-center trial of LNG-IUD plus metformin or megestrol acetate (MA) plus metformin. A total of 88 participants will be randomly assigned into 2 treatment arms in a 1:1 ratio. Clinical, laboratory, ultrasound and radiology data, will be collected at baseline, and then at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. EC biomarkers will be collected at baseline. The primary aim is to determine the efficacy of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) plus metformin, or megestrol acetate (MA) plus metformin in achieving pathological complete response (pCR) at 12 months, as well as post-treatment pregnancy outcomes and recurrence rate. The secondary aims are to predict the response to an LNG-IUD plus metformin and MA plus metformin via clinical, blood, and tissue predictive biomarkers.

Conclusions

Prospective evidence for conservative treatment of EC is limited. New methods to achieve better CR rates with fewer side effects are needed. This trial will investigate the effectiveness of LNG-IUD plus metformin, and MA plus metformin, in obese women with early-stage EC, providing a non-surgical treatment option for these patients.

Trial registration ChiCTR2200055624. The trial was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn/listbycreater.aspx on January 15, 2022

Endometrial adenocarcinoma (EC) is the fifth most common cancer in women worldwide, and up to 90% of EC patients are obese. Standard treatment for EC includes hysterectomy, but it leads to loss of reproductive function. This trial will investigate the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment for obese women with early-stage EC. There is limited prospective evidence for the conservative treatment of EC. New methods to achieve better CR rates with fewer side effects are needed. In this trial, patients with early-stage EC will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive treatment with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) plus metformin, or megestrol acetate (MA) plus metformin. The primary aims are to determine the effectiveness of the 2 treatments to achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) at 12 months, pregnancy outcomes, and recurrence rate. The secondary aims are to predict the response to the 2 treatments using clinical data and blood and tissue predictive biomarkers. If the trial results indicate the treatments are effective, they may significantly reduce the incidence of adverse events in obese EC patients receiving current treatments, and preserve fertility; thereby improving patients’ quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.

Hormonal Therapy for Gynecological Cancers: How Far Has Science Progressed toward Clinical Applications?

Simple Summary

The most common therapies for severe and recurrent gynecological cancers are hormone therapy and chemotherapy, and responsiveness to therapy is a key component in prognosis and survivability. Hormone therapy has recently been demonstrated to be an excellent cancer treatment approach. Hormone treatment for gynecological cancers is taking drugs that decrease hormone levels or impede their biological activity, halting or slowing cancer progression. Hormone therapy works by suppressing the multiplication of cancer cells triggered by hormones. Hormonal therapy, such as progestogens or tamoxifen, is frequently recommended for patients with hormone-sensitive recurrent or metastatic gynecological cancers, but response rates and therapeutic effects are inconsistent. Therefore, we discuss the pathogenesis of gynecological malignancies from the hormonal landscape and the use of hormonal therapies toward clinical applications.

Abstract

In recent years, hormone therapy has been shown to be a remarkable treatment option for cancer. Hormone treatment for gynecological cancers involves the use of medications that reduce the level of hormones or inhibit their biological activity, thereby stopping or slowing cancer growth. Hormone treatment works by preventing hormones from causing cancer cells to multiply. Aromatase inhibitors, anti-estrogens, progestin, estrogen receptor (ER) antagonists, GnRH agonists, and progestogen are effectively used as therapeutics for vulvar cancer, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer. Hormone replacement therapy has a high success rate. In particular, progestogen and estrogen replacement are associated with a decreased incidence of gynecological cancers in women infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). The activation of estrogen via the transcriptional functionality of ERα may either be promoted or decreased by gene products of HPV. Hormonal treatment is frequently administered to patients with hormone-sensitive recurring or metastatic gynecologic malignancies, although response rates and therapeutic outcomes are inconsistent. Therefore, this review outlines the use of hormonal therapy for gynecological cancers and identifies the current knowledge gaps.

Fertility preservation in endometrial cancer patients: options, challenges and perspectives

Several different approaches have been designed by physicians in order to preserve fertility in younger patients with endometrial carcinoma. There are various options offering different advantages, but hysteroscopic resection of pathologic endometrial tissue with placement of a Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device has proven to be the most successful in allowing patients to conceive and give birth afterwards. However, conservative treatments should only be considered in patients with low-grade and low-stage endometrial tumours. There are many published studies which have sought out a preferable approach to treating endometrial cancer whilst preserving fertility. However, more research on this matter is needed to allow a better understanding as to which techniques/approaches are optimal. In this review, we will summarise the current available treatment options for endometrial cancer in patients of reproductive age.

Conservative treatment for well-differentiated endometrial cancer: when and why it should be considered in young women

The aim of this review was to update current knowledge on the conservative treatment of endometrial cancer (EC) based on a literature review. A web-based search in the MEDLINE database was carried out on EC management and treatment. All relevant information has been collected and analysed. Case series were mainly found in the literature search. Conservative treatments were offered to young patients with stage I low-grade endometrioid carcinomas of the endometrium. Different options included high/low dose progestin treatments, hysteroscopic resection of the disease, a levonorgestrel intrauterine device or a combination of various strategies. The overall complete response rate was near 76.5% with a recurrence rate of up to 33.8%. Pregnancy outcomes reached rates of 64.8% for live births. The current clinical outcomes show that conservative treatment aimed at preserving fertility is feasible for stage I endometrial well-differentiated adenocarcinomas in motivated patients under close monitoring.

Six months response rate of combined oral medroxyprogesterone/levonorgestrel-intrauterine system for early-stage endometrial cancer in young women: a Korean Gynecologic-Oncology Group Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of combined oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)/levonorgestrel-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) treatment and to compare the diagnostic accuracy of endometrial aspiration biopsy with dilatation & curettage (D&C) in young women with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) who wished to preserve their fertility.

METHODS

A prospective phase II multicenter study was conducted from January 2012 to January 2017. Patients with grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma confined to the endometrium were treated with combined oral MPA (500 mg/day)/LNG-IUS. At 3 and 6 months of treatment, the histologic change of the endometrial tissue was assessed. The regression rate at 6 months treatment and the consistency of the histologic results between the aspiration biopsy and the D&C were evaluated.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients were enrolled. Nine voluntarily withdrew and 35 patients completed the protocol treatment. The complete regression (CR) rate at 6 months was 37.1% (13/35). Partial response was shown in 25.7% of cases (9/35). There were no cases of progressive disease and no treatment-related complications. A comparison of the pathologic results from aspiration biopsy and D&C was carried out for 33 cases. Fifteen cases were diagnosed as "EC" by D&C. Among these, only 8 were diagnosed with EC from aspiration biopsy, yielding a diagnostic concordance of 53.3% (κ=0.55).

CONCLUSION

Combined oral MPA/LNG-IUS treatment for EC showed 37.1% of CR rate at 6 months. Considering the short treatment periods, CR rate may be much higher if the treatment continued to 9 or 12 months. So, this treatment is still a viable treatment option for young women of early-stage EC. Endometrial aspiration biopsy with the LNG-IUS in place is less accurate than D&C for follow-up evaluation of patients undergoing this treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01594879.

Fertility preserving options for gynecologic malignancies: A review of current understanding and future directions

Gynecological malignancies affect significant proportion of women in whom fertility preservation is a priority. Advancing reproductive technology and modern surgical techniques are changing the way young women with cancer are counseled regarding their fertility plans at time of cancer diagnosis. This review article provides the reader with fertility preserving updates in gynecologic malignancies as well as those with genetic predisposition for gynecologic malignancies. The different types of gynecologic malignancies including cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers and their unique obstacles are addressed separately. New insights into conservative cervical cancer surgery and fertility preserving neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by fertility preserving surgery for cervical cancer are discussed. Hormonal management of endometrial cancer are highlighted. Additionally, better understanding of ovarian failure with modern chemotherapy/radiation therapy is summarized. Finally, modern reproductive techniques such as ovarian cryopreservation are reviewed as well as those in early stages are development such as artificial ovarian tissue are previewed.

Fertility Preserved Hysteroscopic Approach for the Treatment of Stage Ia Endometrioid Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the feasibility of a hysteroscopic procedure combined with progestin therapy in young patients with stage Ia endometrioid carcinoma (EC) to avoid sterilization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven young women with stage Ia EC (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics grade 1) who were treated with a hysteroscopic approach combined with progestin from July 2004 to June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed and followed up to monitor their general recovery and pregnancy outcome.

RESULTS

The patients' median age was 27.3 years (range, 25-39 years). Comorbidities consisted of primary infertility in 8 patients, polycystic ovary syndrome in 4, uterine fibroids in 2, and diabetes in 1. The results of immunohistochemical analysis were positive for all estrogen and progestin receptors. After treatment, 9 patients attained complete remission, and 2 patients achieved partial remission. The results of peritoneal cytology in 4 patients were negative. As of this writing, 6 of the 11 patients have given birth to 7 infants, and 1 patient had an ectopic pregnancy. Two patients ultimately underwent radical resection. The average follow-up time was 82.3 months (range, 15 to 152 months), and all patients remain disease-free.

CONCLUSIONS

Hysteroscopic surgery combined with progestin treatment for stage Ia EC in young patients to avoid sterilization was practical and may represent a new option for patients with stage Ia EC who wish to preserve their fertility.

Comparison among fertility-sparing therapies for well differentiated early-stage endometrial carcinoma and complex atypical hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE

To compare fertility-sparing therapies including oral progestogens, hysteroscopic resection (HR), and the levonorgestrel- releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in achieving disease regression, recurrence and live birth rate in well differentiate early-stage endometrial carcinoma (eEC) and complex atypical hyperplasia(CAH).

STUDY DESIGN

This was a meta-analysis of previous studies focus on the fertility-sparing therapy for well differentiate early-stage endometrial carcinoma (eEC) and complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH).

DATE SOURCES

Medline, the Cochrane Library and Embase was searched with the terms and Synonyms: words similar to eEC and CAH with therapies associated with fertility-sparing.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The number of all patients accepted fertility sparing therapies, patients got regressed, relapsed and delivered were extracted from each study, and the regression, recurrence, and live birth rate of each study were calculated. The regression, recurrence and live birth rates between each two interventions were compared with the aid of meta-regression in packages of "meta" and "meta for" written in R.

RESULTS

Fifty-four studies reported fertility sparing therapies in young women with eEC and CAH were included. Meta-analysis showed that HR followed by progestogens achieved a higher pooled regression (98.06% vs 77.20% P < 0.0001) and live birth rate (52.57% vs 33.38%, P = 0.0944) and a lower recurrence rate compared with oral progestogens alone (4.79% vs 32.17% P = 0.0004). At the same time, the pooled live birth rate (52.57% vs 18.09% P =0.0399) of HR followed by progestogens are significantly higher than the LNG-IUS alone. Which no statistical difference in regression (98.06% vs 94.24%; P = 0.4098) and recurrence rates (4.79% vs 3.90% P = 0.8561) was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the available fertility-sparing therapeutic options, HR followed by progestogens may be a more effective one.

Combined Oral Medroxyprogesterone/Levonorgestrel-Intrauterine System Treatment for Women With Grade 2 Stage IA Endometrial Cancer

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oncologic and pregnancy outcomes of combined oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)/levonorgestrel-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) treatment in young women with grade 2–differentiated stage IA endometrial adenocarcinoma who wish to preserve fertility.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with grade 2 stage IA endometrial adenocarcinoma who had received fertility-sparing treatment at CHA Gangnam Medical Center between 2011 and 2015. All of the patients were treated with combined oral MPA (500 mg/d)/LNG-IUS, and follow-up dilatation and curettage were performed every 3 months.

Results

A total of 5 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 30.4 ± 5.3 years (range, 25–39 years). After a mean treatment duration of 11.0 ± 6.2 months (range, 6–18 months), complete response (CR) was shown in 3 of the 5 patients, with partial response (PR) in the other 2 patients. One case of recurrence was reported 14 months after achieving CR. This patient was treated again with combined oral MPA/LNG-IUS and achieved CR by 6 months. The average follow-up period was 44.4 ± 26.2 months (range, 12–71 months). There were no cases of progressive disease. No treatment-related complications arose.

Conclusions

Combined oral MPA/LNG-IUS treatment is considered to be a reasonably effective fertility-sparing treatment of grade 2 stage IA endometrial cancer. Although our results are encouraging, it is preliminary and should be considered with experienced oncologists in well-defined protocol and with close follow-up.

[Fertility-sparing management of endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia]

The fertility sparing management of endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia concern women in childbearing age with stage 1, grade 1, endometrioid adenocarcinoma confined to endometrium or atypical hyperplasia (simple or complex). These pathologies affecting more frequently postmenopausal women, the number of people involved is relatively low. The main risk factor is hyperestrogenism and these patients often present a history of infertility with a desire for pregnancy. The recommendations for this conservative management are scarce and unclear. The national observatory in the gynecology and obstetrics department of Bichat hospital gives expert advice to help doctors and patients concerned. We present a type of conservative management based on the expertise of the national observatory. Rigorous pre-therapeutic assessment must first be made to avoid missing a more advanced lesion. Hormone therapy is then started to obtain complete remission. In case of remission, fast achieving pregnancy is advised, and the use of assisted reproductive therapy is possible if necessary. Monitoring by hysteroscopy and histological examination is essential during the treatment. Hysterectomy is the last time the conservative management. It is motivated by the risk of recurrence and progression. The probability of remission after conservative treatment is estimated at 78.0 % at 12 months, the probability of recurrence at 29.2 % at 24 months, and the risk of progression at 15 % (stage 1A with myometrial invasion or more on the hysterectomy specimen). In terms of fertility, 32 % of women get at least one pregnancy.

Defective DNA Mismatch Repair Influences Expression of Endometrial Carcinoma Biomarkers

Endometrial endometrioid carcinomas are related to estrogen excess and express estrogen and progesterone receptors. However, hormone receptor expression can be variable from tumor to tumor, and this variability is not always explained by differences in tumor grade. Variable expression of other biomarkers that may be used in the diagnostic work-up of endometrial cancer has also been noted. We hypothesized that mismatch repair (MMR) defects may contribute to this variability. A total of 411 unselected endometrial carcinomas were evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of DNA MMR proteins and MLH1 methylation. Loss of immunohistochemical expression of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, or PMS2 was defined as MMR deficient; positive expression was defined as MMR intact. A case-control cohort of 80 Grade 2 endometrioid carcinomas was selected from this set (40 MMR deficient, 40 MMR intact). Cases were matched for histotype, grade, and age. Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, CK7(+), CK20, and Pax-8 immunohistochemistry was evaluated. The median percentage of CK7 tumor cells was significantly lower in the MMR deficient group compared with the MMR intact group. The mean percentage of tumor cells exhibiting estrogen receptor expression was similar in both the MMR-deficient and MMR intact groups. However, there was greater variability in the MMR-deficient group. Our study shows that MMR defects influence the expression of clinically important biomarkers for endometrioid-type endometrial carcinoma as decreased cytokeratin 7 expression is more commonly associated with MMR deficiency.

Consensus statement for brachytherapy for the treatment of medically inoperable endometrial cancer

PURPOSE

The purpose of this consensus statement from the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) is to summarize recent advances and to generate general guidelines for the management of medically inoperable endometrial cancer patients with radiation therapy.

METHODS

Recent advances in the literature were summarized and reviewed by a panel of experts. Panel members participated in a series of conference calls and were surveyed to determine their current practices and patterns. This document was reviewed and approved by the full panel, the ABS Board of Directors and the ACR Commission on Radiation Oncology.

RESULTS

A transition from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) treatment planning for the definitive treatment of medically inoperable endometrial cancer is described. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can be used to define the gross tumor volume (GTV), clinical target volume (CTV), and the organs at risk (OARs). Brachytherapy alone can be used for medically inoperable endometrial cancer patients with clinical Stage I cancer with no lymph node involvement and no evidence of deep invasion of the myometrium on MR imaging. In the absence of MR imaging, a combined approach using external beam and brachytherapy may be considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent advances support the use of MR imaging and 3D planning for brachytherapy treatment for medically inoperable endometrial cancer.

Progestins in the fertility-sparing treatment and retreatment of patients with primary and recurrent endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in developed countries. Approximately 3%-14% of endometrial cancers are diagnosed in young women under 40 who want to preserve their fertility. The incidence of endometrial cancer in this age group is increasing, for which fertility-sparing therapy is increasingly used because it is one of the most important quality of life issues in these women. Progestin therapy is the most common type of fertility-sparing therapy. In this review, the most up-to-date findings regarding fertility-sparing progestin therapy for young women with primary and recurrent endometrial cancer is addressed in terms of diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and oncologic and reproductive outcomes. Fertility-sparing progestin therapy is highly effective in selected young women with primary and recurrent endometrial cancer. The selection of appropriate patients through comprehensive pretreatment evaluation is of paramount importance to achieve the best outcomes without compromising survival. Because of the high rate of recurrence after successful fertility-sparing therapy, close surveillance is mandatory, and prophylactic hysterectomy is the best option for patients who have completed family planning. Pregnancy outcomes are very promising with the aid of assisted reproductive technologies. Continuous daily oral medroxyprogesterone acetate and megestrol acetate are the preferred progestins for fertility-sparing therapy, but future studies should be performed to determine the optimal dose and treatment duration of these agents.

Usefulness of DWI in preoperative assessment of deep myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and a meta-analysis in order to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the preoperative assessment of deep myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS

Studies evaluating DWI for the detection of deep myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial carcinoma were systematically searched for in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library from January 1995 to January 2014. Methodologic quality was assessed by using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool. Bivariate random-effects meta-analytic methods were used to obtain pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The study also evaluated the clinical utility of DWI in preoperative assessment of deep myometrial invasion.

RESULTS

Seven studies enrolling a total of 320 individuals met the study inclusion criteria. The summary area under the ROC curve was 0.91. There was no evidence of publication bias (P = 0.90, bias coefficient analysis). Sensitivity and specificity of DWI for detection of deep myometrial invasion across all studies were 0.90 and 0.89, respectively. Positive and negative likelihood ratios with DWI were 8 and 0.11 respectively. In patients with high pre-test probabilities, DWI enabled confirmation of deep myometrial invasion; in patients with low pre-test probabilities, DWI enabled exclusion of deep myometrial invasion. The worst case scenario (pre-test probability, 50%) post-test probabilities were 89% and 10% for positive and negative DWI results, respectively.

CONCLUSION

DWI has high sensitivity and specificity for detecting deep myometrial invasion and more importantly can reliably rule out deep myometrial invasion. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to add a DWI sequence to the standard MRI protocols in preoperative evaluation of endometrial cancer in order to detect deep myometrial invasion, which along with other poor prognostic factors like age, tumor grade, and LVSI would be useful in stratifying high risk groups thereby helping in the tailoring of surgical approach in patient with low risk of endometrial carcinoma.

Preserving fertility in young patients with endometrial cancer: current perspectives

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in developed countries and affects predominantly postmenopausal women. It is estimated, however, that 15%–25% of women will be diagnosed before menopause. As more women choose to defer childbearing until later in life, the feasibility and safety of fertility-sparing EC management have been increasingly studied. Definitive treatment of total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy precludes future fertility and may thus be undesirable by women who wish to maintain their reproductive potential. However, the consideration of conservative management carries the oncologic risks of unstaged EC and the risk of missing a synchronous ovarian cancer. It is further complicated by the lack of consensus regarding the initial assessment, treatment, and surveillance. Conservative treatment with progestins has been shown to be a feasible and safe fertility-sparing approach for women with low grade, early stage EC with no myometrial invasion. The two most commonly adopted regimens are medroxyprogesterone acetate at 500–600 mg daily and megestrol acetate at 160 mg daily for a minimum of 6–9 months, with initial response rates commonly reported between 60% and 80% and recurrence rates between 25% and 40%. Photodynamic therapy and hysteroscopic EC excision have recently been reported as alternative approaches to progestin therapy alone. However, limited efficacy and safety data exist. Live birth rates after progestin therapy have typically been reported around 30%; however, when focusing only on those who do pursue fertility after successful treatment, the live birth rates were found to be higher than 60%. Assisted reproductive technology has been associated with a higher live birth rate compared with spontaneous conception, most likely reflecting the presence of infertility at baseline. Close follow-up is of paramount importance, and definitive treatment after completion of childbearing is advised.

Improving treatment for obese women with early stage cancer of the uterus: rationale and design of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device ± metformin ± weight loss in endometrial cancer (feMME) trial

PURPOSE

Endometrial adenocarcinoma (EC) is the most common gynaecologic cancer. Up to 90% of EC patients are obese which poses a health threat to patients post-treatment. Standard treatment for EC includes hysterectomy, although this has significant side effects for obese women at high risk of surgical complications and for women of childbearing age. This trial investigates the effectiveness of non-surgical or conservative treatment options for obese women with early stage EC. The primary aim is to determine the efficacy of: levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD); with or without metformin (an antidiabetic drug); and with or without a weight loss intervention to achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) in EC at six months from study treatment initiation. The secondary aim is to enhance understanding of the molecular processes and to predict a treatment response by investigating EC biomarkers.

METHODS

An open label, three-armed, randomised, phase-II, multi-centre trial of LNG-IUD ± metformin ± weight loss intervention. 165 participants from 28 centres are randomly assigned in a 3:3:5 ratio to the treatment arms. Clinical, quality of life and health behavioural data will be collected at baseline, six weeks, three and six months. EC biomarkers will be assessed at baseline, three and six months.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited prospective evidence for conservative treatment for EC. Trial results could benefit patients and reduce health system costs through a reduction in hospitalisations and through lower incidence of adverse events currently observed with standard treatment.

Fertility-Preserving Treatment in Young Women With Endometrial Adenocarcinoma: A Long-Term Cohort Study

Objective

Growing evidence suggests that fertility-preserving treatment is feasible for young women with early-stage, low-grade endometrial carcinoma. However, published data on their long-term outcomes and prognostic factors remain scanty. We aimed to investigate the outcomes of young women receiving fertility-preserving treatment.

Methods

Between 1991 and 2010, the outcomes of young women with grade 1 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma at presumed stage IA (without myometrial invasion) who underwent fertility-preserving treatment of megestrol acetate 160 mg/d with or without other hormonal agents were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

We identified 37 eligible patients (median age, 32 years; range, 18–40 years). The median follow-up time was 78.6 months (range, 19.1–252.8 months). Complete response (CR) lasting more than 6 months was achieved in 30 (81.1%) women. Responders were significantly younger than nonresponders (P= 0.032). Of the 30 women who had a CR, 15 (50.0%) had disease recurrence. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year cumulative recurrence-free survival rates were 51.0%, 51.0%, and 34.0%, respectively. Notably, those recurred were significantly older (P= 0.003), and the time to CR was significantly longer (P= 0.043) than those without recurrence. One patient developed late recurrences at 156 months, and 2 patients developed ovarian metastasis (6 and 137 months from diagnosis). All the patients are currently alive.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of high-dose megestrol acetate–based therapy for fertility preservation. The substantial risk of late recurrences highlights the need for long-term follow-up studies of large sample sizes with in-depth tumor and host molecular signatures.

Building a successful fertility preservation program at a major cancer center

Over 150,000 reproductive age individuals face fertility-threatening cancer treatments each year. Improved detection and treatment of cancer in reproductive-age patients have greatly increased the long-term survival and made it possible for these individuals to consider their long-term quality-of-life after cancer including having biologic offspring. Various methods of fertility preservation (FP) are now available for both males and females. In order to maximize FP options available to patients facing imminent gonadotoxic therapies, it is crucial that women have quick access to FP care and that providers expedite FP strategies. The overarching goal of a clinical FP program is to help patients and their physicians consider the impact of treatment on future fertility and facilitate FP efforts in what is often a limited time period before cancer treatment begins.

Endometrial Carcinoma in Women Aged 40 Years and Younger

Context.—Endometrial carcinoma is a disease of older postmenopausal women, and is relatively uncommon in patients younger than 40 years. Endometrial carcinomas in this age group may be familial, associated with Lynch syndrome, or sporadic.

Objectives.—To present our current knowledge of endometrial carcinomas in women younger than 40 years.

Data Sources.—The review is based on previously published articles on this topic.

Conclusions.—Most endometrial carcinomas that occur in this age group are associated with estrogen excess. They are usually low-grade endometrioid carcinomas that present at low stages and are associated with favorable clinical outcomes. Tumors associated with mismatch repair abnormalities and Lynch syndrome appear to be distinct, with worse prognostic factors and, possibly, clinical behavior. Conservative hormonal therapy and ovarian conservation are reasonable considerations in the management of these young patients, but carry the risk of tumor progression, recurrence, and an occult synchronous or metachronous ovarian carcinoma.

Fertility-sparing therapy for young women with endometrial cancer

Approximately 1600 women under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer this year. For these women, preservation of fertility may be one of the most important factors when seeking treatment options. The objective of this article is to review the available literature on fertility-sparing therapy for young women with endometrial cancer. Patient selection, pretreatment testing, treatment regimens, response rates and pregnancy outcomes will be explored. Recommendations regarding this approach for the treatment of endometrial cancer in young women will also be made.

Fertility sparing treatment in young patients with early endometrial adenocarcinoma: case series

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate fertility-sparing therapy in young patients with endometrial carcinoma.

Methodology: This prospective study was carried out on 8 patients with clinical and radio-graphic stage IA, well differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium in Alzahra hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Treatment comprised high-dose megestrol acetate. Dilatation and curettage was repeated every three months.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 30 (SD,3.21) years (range 24-35). Of the 8 patients, 7 (87.5%) achieved complete response. The mean time to response was 6.5 months (range 3-9). Of the complete responders, 3 of 7(42.8%) had recurrence; one patient underwent immediate hysterectomy, and 2 were successfully treated with second-line therapy and both subsequently conceived. Conception occurred in 3 of 7 patients (42.8%), in two more than once, However successful pregnancy occurred only in two patients. One patient developed Concomitant ovarian adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions: High dose progestin therapy can be an effective fertility-sparing treatment in young patients with well differentiated stage IA endometrial endometrioid cancer confined to endometrium. However, close follow up is required because of risks of conservative treatment.

Combined medroxyprogesterone acetate/levonorgestrel-intrauterine system treatment in young women with early-stage endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the combined oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)/levonorgestrel-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) treatment in young women with early-stage endometrial cancer who wish to preserve their fertility.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective observational study was conducted. The study population comprised women aged ≤40 years who were diagnosed with endometrioid endometrial cancer, grade 1, tumor size <2 cm presumably confined to the endometrium. A LNG-IUS was inserted in the uterine cavity of each woman, and all of the women received oral MPA (500 mg/d). Dilation was conducted every 3 months.

RESULTS

From September 2008 to December 2012, 16 patients were enrolled. The overall complete remission rate was 87.5% (14/16 patients); the average time to complete remission was 9.8 ± 8.9 months (range, 3-35 months). In the initial 3 months of treatment, complete remission was observed in 25% of cases (4/16 patients), partial response in 25% (4/16), and no change in 50% (8/16); there were no cases of progressive disease. Three patients achieved pregnancies. The average follow-up period was 31.1 ± 11.8 months (range, 16-50 months), and there were no treatment-related complications.

CONCLUSION

Combined oral MPA/LNG-IUS treatment is considered to be effective and favorable for young patients with early-stage endometrial cancer who want to preserve their fertility.

Experiences in fertility preservation: lessons learned to ensure that fertility and reproductive autonomy remain options for cancer survivors

PURPOSE

Assess fertility preservation (FP) measures chosen by patients newly diagnosed with malignancy and their outcomes.

METHODS

Reproductive-age patients referred for FP underwent counseling and elected cryopreservation vs. no treatment. Outcome measures included ovarian stimulation, FP choice, oocytes/zygotes retrieved/cryopreserved and pregnancy outcome.

RESULTS

From 2005 to 2012, 136 patients were counseled with 124 electing treatment: 83 oocyte-only, 21 oocyte + zygote and 20 zygote-only cryopreservation. Age, partnership and financial status factored into FP choice. Treatment was completed in 12 ± 2 days with 14 ± 11 metaphase-II oocytes harvested and cryopreserved/cycle. Eight patients returned to attempt pregnancy; three succeeded.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that oocyte and/or zygote banking are feasible FP options for women with malignancy; given the choice, the majority elected oocyte cryopreservation, highlighting desire for reproductive autonomy. Continued growth and research, combined with interdisciplinary communication, will ensure that appropriate candidates are offered FP and the potential for future parenthood, an important quality-of-life marker for survivors.

A prospective study of fertility-sparing treatment with megestrol acetate following hysteroscopic curettage for well-differentiated endometrioid carcinoma and atypical hyperplasia in young women

PURPOSE

To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of curettage with hysteroscopy followed by megestrol acetate (MA) for well-differentiated endometrioid carcinoma (EC) confined to the endometrium and for atypical hyperplasia (AH) in young women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fourteen patients with EC and 12 patients with AH were prospectively enrolled in this study. All of the patients received at least 12 weeks of oral MA (160 mg/day) following thorough curettage with hysteroscopy. The response was assessed histologically every 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the complete response rate. Adverse events, pregnancy rates and recurrence rates were secondary end points.

RESULTS

Twenty-one (80.8 %) patients responded to treatment. The median time to response was 12 weeks. After a median follow-up of 32 months, 6 patients had recurrences. Significantly, more patients with infertility or PCOS experienced recurrence (P = 0.040, P = 0.015). Eight patients attempted to conceive after complete response; two spontaneous conceptions and one normal delivery were achieved. No disease-related or treatment-related deaths were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Fertility-sparing treatment with MA following entirely hysteroscopic curettage is effective, demonstrating the least toxicity for rigorously selected young women with well-differentiated EC confined to the endometrium or with AH; however, close follow-up is required for the potential consequences of improper patient selection and a substantial rate of recurrence.

Controversies of the hormonal conservative treatment of endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Hysterectomy plus salpingo-oophorectomy represents the standard treatment for patients with well-differentiated endometrial cancer (EC) limited to the endometrium. It is estimated that over 5% of EC are diagnosed in nulliparous women aged 35-44 years. In addition, EC can affect obese women with diabetes, hypertension and other comorbidities increasing the surgical risk.

METHODS

This article reviews the English literature in PubMed regarding hormonal treatment of EC.

RESULTS

Use of hormonal therapies has resulted in complete remission in 60-70%; many of these women were able to achieve full-term pregnancies, and in case of contraindication to surgery, resection could be avoided. Several topics, however, such as patient selection, interobserver histologic evaluation, the type/duration of hormonal treatment, modality of evaluation before treatment and surveillance after treatment, which are still subject to controversy, are therefore discussed in this paper.

CONCLUSION

Uterus-sparing treatment of well-differentiated EC limited to the endometrium is feasible and has acceptable efficacy in women with increased surgical risk or those who wish to preserve their fertility. Although the methods applied to determine disease extent beyond the endometrium are still unsatisfactory, patient selection is a crucial factor determining the outcome of treatment. However, women must be fully informed about the possibility of treatment failure and the necessity of a close follow-up after therapy.

Fertility preservation in gynecological cancers

For cancers of reproductive system in women, fertility preservation is complex. Fertility is also affected by therapies, however prevention is possible. Radiotherapy affects gonads, uterus, and subsequent pregnancy outcomes in all ages. However, degree and damage depend on dose, irradiation field, and age at the time of exposure. Ovarian transposition is considered if ovarian involvement is unlikely. Gonadotoxic effects of chemotherapy are related to agent's type, cumulative doses, age, and ovarian reserve. Some agents are highly toxic. Rendering follicular development quiescent by suppression of gonadotropins does reduce the ovarian damage. Simple or radical trachelectomy can be used in early cervical cancer. Fertility saving surgery is possible only in early stage low grade epithelial cancers of the ovary, however, in germ cell tumors even in advanced stages it may be possible to preserve fertility. There are no standard recommendations for endometrial cancer. Embryo, oocyte, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation are possible. The human embryo is very resistant to damage. In view of these possibilities, it is advocated that attention to long term health and quality of life in gonadotoxic therapy must be incorporated into plans as early as possible.

Treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate plus levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for early-stage endometrial cancer in young women: single-arm, prospective multicenter study: Korean gynecologic oncology group study (KGOG2009)

A prospective multicenter trial has been started in Korea to investigate the treatment efficacy of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system plus medroxyprogesterone acetate in young women with early-stage endometrial cancer. A number of studies have reported the effectiveness of hormonal therapy using systemic progestin in women clinically diagnosed with early endometrial adenocarcinoma at Stage IA, Grade 1, who want to maintain reproductive potential. In addition, several recent studies reported the use of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system to treat patients at a high risk of perioperative complications who cannot tolerate systemic progesterone because of its adverse effects. However, there has been no prospective multicenter trial that investigated the effectiveness of treatment with systemic progesterone in combination with intrauterine progesterone in young women with endometrial cancer. Young patients with histologically confirmed Grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma that is presumably confined to the endometrium, who desired to preserve their fertility potential, undergo levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion and are administered medroxyprogesterone acetate at a dosage of 500 mg/day concurrently. The follow-up and treatment response assessment were implemented at a 3-month interval with office endometrial aspiration biopsy with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in place, and dilatation and curettage after removal of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. The primary endpoint is the complete response rate. The secondary endpoint is to estimate the consistency of the results of the office endometrial aspiration biopsy with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in the uterus and a dilatation and curettage after removal of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

Long-term oncologic outcomes after fertility-sparing management using oral progestin for young women with endometrial cancer (KGOG 2002)

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the long-term oncologic outcomes of a fertility-sparing management using oral progestin in young women with endometrial cancer.

METHODS

We analysed 148 patients (age≤40 years) with stage IA, grade 1, endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterus who underwent fertility-sparing management using daily oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or megestrol acetate (MA).

RESULTS

115 (77.7%) showed complete response (CR) to progestin treatment, and 35 (30.4%) of them experienced recurrence after median follow-up time of 66 months. The 5-year recurrence-free survival was 68% (95% confidence interval [CI], 58.5-76.9%). However, 33 patients (22.3%) who failed to achieve CR underwent definitive surgical management, and no one had recurrence after median follow-up time of 41 months. During progestin treatment and at the time of recurrence, no patient showed clinical progression of disease over stage IA. Body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m(2) was the only significant factor associated with a failure to achieve CR (odds ratio [OR], 3.00; 95% CI, 1.35-6.66; P=0.007). Upon multivariate analysis, BMI≥25 kg/m(2) (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.06-4.31; P=0.033) was significantly associated with a higher risk of recurrence and the use of MPA (compared to MA) (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22-0.88; P=0.021), maintenance treatment (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.05-0.94; P=0.042) and pregnancy (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.11-0.56; P=0.001) were significantly associated with a lower risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Fertility-sparing management was highly effective and safe. BMI<25 kg/m(2), MPA (compared to MA), maintenance treatment and pregnancy were associated with higher possibility of long-term success.

Assessing endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma treated with progestin therapy

The effects of increased amounts of progesterone on the endometrium, including such features as eosinophilic cytoplasmic metaplasia, glandular atrophy, and decidualized stroma, are well-known among surgical pathologists. These changes are typically seen as secondary effects of pregnancy or exogenous hormone therapy for birth control purposes or abnormal bleeding. Treatment with progesterone has become a viable alternative to hysterectomy in some patients with complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH) and well-differentiated endometrial carcinoma (WDC), especially those who are poor surgical candidates or those wishing to preserve fertility. To date, only 1 study has specifically examined the effects of progestin therapy on patients with a previous diagnosis of CAH or WDC. That study proposed a classification scheme for the assessment of treated CAH and WDC. The authors concluded that after 6 months of treatment, endometrial biopsy findings of persistent cytologic atypia and architectural abnormalities were associated with treatment failure. This current study aims to assess the previously proposed criteria in a cohort of 30 patients (18 with a diagnosis of CAH and 12 with a diagnosis of WDC), and determine the usefulness of these criteria in clinical practice. Our study confirms that cytologic atypia after 6 months of therapy is strongly associated with treatment failure, and should be an indication to pursue definitive surgical treatment in these patients.

Regression, relapse, and live birth rates with fertility-sparing therapy for endometrial cancer and atypical complex endometrial hyperplasia: a systematic review and metaanalysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to evaluate the regression, relapse, and live birth rates of early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) and atypical complex hyperplasia (ACH) with fertility-sparing treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a metaanalysis of the proportions from observational studies with a random-effects model and a meta-regression to explore for heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Thirty-four observational studies, evaluating the regression, relapse, and live birth rates of early-stage EC (408 women) and ACH (151 women) with fertility-sparing treatment. Fertility-sparing treatment for EC achieved a pooled regression rate of 76.2%, a relapse rate of 40.6%, and a live birth rate of 28%. For ACH the pooled regression rate was 85.6%, a relapse rate of 26%, and a live birth rate of 26.3%. Twenty women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer (concurrent or metastatic) during follow-up (3.6%) and 10 progressed to higher than stage I EC (1.9%) from which 2 women died.

CONCLUSION

Fertility-sparing treatment of EC and ACH is feasible and selected women can satisfy their reproductive wishes.

Predictive value of T2-weighted imaging and contrast-enhanced MR imaging in assessing myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer: a pooled analysis of prospective studies

BACKGROUND

To obtain diagnostic performance values of T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) in the prediction of myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for relevant original articles published from January 1995 to March 2012. Pooled estimation data were obtained by statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Eleven articles (548 patients) were included. For assessing any myometrial involvement, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for CE-MRI were 0.81 (95% CI, 0.72, 0.88), 0.72 (95% CI, 0.64, 0.79), 0.65 (95% CI, 0.56, 0.73) and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.78, 0.91); for T2WI, they were 0.87 (95% CI, 0.78, 0.94), 0.58 (95% CI, 0.47, 0.69), 0.64 (95% CI, 0.54, 0.73), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.73, 0.92) respectively. The pooled specificity of CE-MRI (0.72) was significantly higher than T2WI (0.58) (P < 0.05). For assessing deep myometrial involvement, there was no statistically significant difference between CE-MRI and T2WI, (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CE-MRI has a good diagnostic performance in the prediction of any myometrial invasion and is superior to T2WI. But its PPV is somewhat suboptimal. For assessing deep myometrial involvement, its NPV appears relative high and negative findings strongly suggest an absence of deep myometrial involvement, which can guide therapeutic decision-making.

Fertility-sparing treatment of endometrial cancer: options, outcomes and pitfalls

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States, with over 40,000 cases diagnosed each year. While a majority of cases are diagnosed in post-menopausal women, up to 14% of cases will be in pre-menopausal women, including 4% diagnosed in women less than 40 years of age. While hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with assessment of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes is standard initial treatment for endometrial cancer, younger women may desire fertility sparing options. The decision to proceed with conservative management in this younger patient population is associated with multiple complexities, including the inherent oncologic risks of an inadequately staged and treated endometrial cancer, the risk of a synchronous or meta-synchronous cancer, the increased risk of an inherited genetic predisposition to malignancy and the lack of uniformity in the medical management and surveillance. In this review we will discuss the conservative management of endometrial cancer, specifically the role of progestin hormonal therapy, including the risks associated with non-standard care, appropriate candidate selection and work up, expected outcomes, various progestin agents and recommended follow-up.

Controversies in the management of endometrial carcinoma: an update

Endometrial carcinoma is the commonest type of female genital tract malignancy in the developed countries. Endometrial carcinoma is usually confined to the uterus at the time of diagnosis and as such usually carries an excellent prognosis with high curability. Our understanding and management of endometrial cancer have continuously developed. Current controversies focus on screening and early detection, the extent of nodal surgery, and the changing roles of radiation therapy and chemotherapy and will be discussed in this paper.

Fertility-sparing treatment using medroxyprogesterone acetate for endometrial carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to present the results of fertility-sparing treatment using medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for endometrial carcinoma (EC), and to clarify patient characteristics by investigating patient background factors. A total of 59 patients with EC, who received MPA as fertility-sparing therapy at two institutions over a 21-year period between 1987 and 2008, were studied retrospectively. Patients were administered oral MPA at 400-600 mg/day for 16-24 weeks as long as they responded. Endometrial tissue was assessed twice, at 8-12 weeks (during treatment) and shortly after treatment. The overall complete response (CR) rate was 71%. A total of 22 (52%) of 42 responders later developed relapse. A total of 19 cases became pregnant, and 25 infants were born. Eighty percent of recurrences occurred within 2 years. For stages I a and I b- II a (FIGO, 1988), initial CR rates were 80.0 and 42.9%, respectively (p<0.01), demonstrating a significant difference. Total hysterectomy was performed for 26 patients (44%) due to recurrence or failure to respond to the initial treatment. Among these 26 patients, postoperative stages were more advanced in 10 patients (38%). The grade advanced (became more poorly differentiated) postoperatively in 2 patients (8%). Premenopausal females with EC can be treated successfully with MPA, however patients should be informed of the risks and limitations of this conservative treatment.