Fertility-sparing surgery in early epithelial ovarian cancer: a viable option? Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012;2012:238061. [PMID: 22529854 PMCID: PMC3316954 DOI: 10.1155/2012/238061]

Oncofertility and Fertility Preservation for Women with Gynecological Malignancies: Where Do We Stand Today?

Oncofertility is a growing medical and research field that includes two main areas: oncology and reproductive medicine. Nowadays, the percentage of patients surviving cancer has exponentially increased, leading to the need for intervention for fertility preservation in both men and women. Specifically, gynecological malignancies in women pose an additional layer of complexity due to the reproductive organs being affected. In the present review, we report fertility preservation options with a cancer- and stage-specific focus. We explore the drawbacks and the necessity for planning fertility preservation applications during emergency statuses (i.e., the COVID-19 pandemic) and comment on the importance of repro-counseling for multifaceted patients during their oncological and reproductive journey.

The complex relationship between infertility and female genital tract cancer: A review

INTRODUCTION

The link between female infertility and gynecological cancer has always been a debated and challenging topic. Although cervical cancer has the worst impact on female fertility, as it is usually diagnosed in patients of reproductive age, endometrial and ovarian cancer are also diagnosed and treated often in relatively younger patients in which fertility preservation is a relevant issue. The aim of this review is to highlight the correlation between therapy for female infertility and the developing cancer's risk and to describe the fertility sparing treatments in gynecological oncology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature through the main scientific search engines (PubMed and Google Scholar) was performed. We selected the most relevant articles based on the largest case series and the latest updates. All selected documents have been listed in the references.

RESULTS

Fifty-six relevant articles published between 1996 and 2019 were identified.Results from the available evidence report no significant increased risk of endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancer in patients having infertility treatments.In young patients diagnosed with gynecological cancer, preservation of fertility is a personalized choice depending on several factors (type, stage, age and desire to conceive, safety of the treatment, and feasibility of fertility sparing surgery). For ovarian cancer FIGO stage IA G1, IA G2 (grade), and IC G1; for endometrial adenocarcinoma grade 1 with no lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) or myometrial invasion and for early-stage cervical cancer (FIGO stage 2018: IA1-IB1), fertility sparing treatment is possible. The role of fertility sparing treatment with the increase of personalization of therapies therapy is always a theme of discussion and research.

CONCLUSION

At present data regarding the risk of gynecological cancers after infertility treatments are reassuring. Careful evaluation of female fertility-sparing options in young women interested by ovarian, endometrial, or cervical tumors should be carried out involving a multidisciplinary team and ensuring safety and efficacy.

Impact of cancer in the management of delivery: 10 years of variations

Importance: The active-during-pregnancy-cancer (ADPC) is a condition that complicates the 0.1% of pregnancies. Abortion, preterm delivery and cesarean section (CS) are common attitudes for these patients, because of scarcity of evidence-based studies. Not-active-during-pregnancy-cancer (NADPC) is an increasing medical problem. The fertility of young girls survived to neoplasia is significantly lower compared to general population and there are increased rates of low birth weight and preterm birth.Objective: To analyze the impact that the pregnancy-related neoplastic disease has on management of deliveries in the decade 2006-2015.Material and methods: In this observational study, we collected obstetric and oncological data about 205 patients bearing a history of cancer related to pregnancy between January 2006 and September 2016 from Sant'Anna Hospital database archive in Turin. The entire population was divided in 59 patients with ADPC and 146 patients with NADPC because it was cured before starting the gestation. Three ADPC and three NADPC patients who completed their pregnancy in the year 2016 were excluded from the 10 years 2006-2015 trends realization. All in situ and invasive cancers were considered.Results: In ADPC patients, we registered 3.4% miscarriage and 15.3% iatrogenic abortion. The type of delivery was vaginal (22%) and CS (59.3%). Induction of labor was 14.6%, elective CS was 68.8%: the indication for these procedures was 78.6% oncological. The average gestational age was 35.5 weeks. In NADPC patients, we registered 9.6% miscarriage and 8.2% iatrogenic abortion. The type of delivery was vaginal (43.2%) and CS (39%). Induction of labor was 11.7%, elective CS was 36.7%: the indication for these procedures was 77.5% obstetrical. The average gestational age was 38.3 weeks.Conclusions: Ten-year trends in ADPC and NADPC patients showed an increase of induced deliveries and a decrease in elective CS. We observed not significant reduction of gestational age and birth weight. A contemporary decrease of oncological indications for CS in the two populations was reported.

Fertility sparing surgery in epithelial ovarian cancer in Italy: perceptions, practice, and main issues

About 2.7% of patients epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC) are younger than 40 and present with stage I disease. For this subset of women, the issue of fertility sparing surgery (FSS) has become critical. The aim of this survey was to investigate the management of EOC patients desiring to preserve fertility in Italy. A questionnaire consisting of 30 items was developed to evaluate: patient-selection criteria, rate of FSS, patient's counseling- and pregnancy-timing, fertility preservation, obstetrics, and oncologic outcomes. One expert clinician for each of 50 major gynecologic oncology centers was invited to participate. Data were entered into a database and statistically analyzed. 74% of questionnaires were complete. The proportion of EOC patients treated with FSS was <10%, 10%-20% and >20% in 70.3%, 24.3% and 5.4% of cases, respectively. Age, fertility preservation desire, histotype, and stage were considered relevant to select patients for a conservative treatment for 64.8%, 72.9%, and 78.3% of responders, respectively. Only 17 centers (45.9%) resulted to have an assisted reproductive technique service and Obstetrics Department. Our survey highlights discrepancies among oncologists in the management of patients with early EOC undergoing FSS. More efforts should be made to define and broadcast the best management before and after surgery.

Safety of Fertility-Sparing Surgery for Premenopausal Women With Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors Confined to the Ovary

Objective

The aim of this retrospective population-based study was to investigate the oncologic safety of fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) for premenopausal women with malignant sex cord-stromal tumors (SCSTs) confined to the ovary.

Methods

A cohort of women aged 18 to 49 years and diagnosed with a stage I malignant SCST between 1984 and 2013 was drawn from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Based on site-specific surgery codes, women who had FSS, defined as unilateral oophorectomy/tumor resection without hysterectomy, and definite surgery were identified. Cancer-specific survival and overall survival were evaluated after generation of Kaplan-Meier curves, whereas comparisons between the 2 groups were made with the log-rank test.

Results

A total of 255 women who met the inclusion criteria were identified; 161 (63.1%) underwent FSS whereas 94 (36.9%) had definitive surgery (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy). Median follow-up was 104 months. Cancer-specific survival (P= 0.015) but not overall survival (P= 0.76) was superior for women who had definite surgery.

Conclusions

In this retrospective population-based cohort of premenopausal women with SCSTs confined to the ovary, FSS was associated only with a worse long-term cancer-specific survival compared with definitive surgery. Women undergoing FSS for early stage SCSTs should be extensively counseled and closely monitored.

Fertility preservation in women with cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancers

Background

Although cancer in general affects an aged population, a significant number of women develop cancer at childbearing age. Long-term survival rates after gynecological cancer, especially in young patients are increasing and all quality-of-life aspects, including preservation of fertility have become of major relevance.

Outcomes

Surgical techniques aimed at sparing reproductive organs and preserving fertility have been developed for women presenting with gynecological cancer found at early stages. Indications for fertility-sparing surgery are in general restricted to women presenting with a well-differentiated low-grade tumor in its early stages or with low malignant potential. Up to now, use of fertility-sparing techniques in well-selected patients has not been shown to affect overall survival negatively and fertility outcomes reported have been favorable. Still larger amounts of data and longer follow-up periods are needed. Several current fertility-sparing cancer treatments may result in sub-fertility and in those cases assisted reproductive techniques are indicated. Overall quality of life has been satisfactory in cancer patients after fertility-sparing surgery.

Conclusions

Fertility-sparing surgery is a viable tool to enable gynecological cancer patients of young age to fulfill their family building without impairment of oncological outcome. Cancer patients of reproductive age should undergo fertility counseling to analyze this sensitive subject. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of fertility-sparing treatment and combined adjuvant therapy in higher-grade cancers.

Assisted reproductive techniques after fertility-sparing treatments in gynaecological cancers

BACKGROUND

The trend toward late childbearing has made fertility preservation a major issue for women who face gynecological cancer. New techniques in assisted reproductive medicine enable conception after primary treatment of these cancers. Here, we aimed to review the efficacy and safety of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) after fertility-preserving treatment of gynaecological cancers.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature review of both prospective and retrospective studies in the PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL and SciSearch databases. In the retrieved studies, we evaluated live births, clinical pregnancies, overall survival and disease-free survival.

RESULTS

We identified many prospective and retrospective studies on this topic, but no relevant randomized clinical trials. Fertility-sparing treatments with safe oncological outcomes are feasible in endometrial, cervical and ovarian cancer cases. After cancer treatment, ART seem safe and show variable obstetrical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

After fertility-preserving treatment for gynaecological cancers, ART can enable pregnancy to be achieved with apparent oncological safety. The success of such procedures should directly impact clinical practice and management of those patients who require fertility-sparing treatment.

Fertility Sparing Surgery for Localized Ovarian Cancers Maintains an Ability to Conceive, but is Associated With Diminished Reproductive Potential

BACKGROUND

Little is known about fertility outcomes after fertility sparing surgery (FSS) for localized ovarian cancers.

METHODS

A random sample of 783 women treated for ovarian cancer were identified from the California Cancer Registry for survey (age 18-40 years at diagnosis; diagnosed from 1993-2007). We evaluated outcomes including post-treatment amenorrhea, infertility, early menopause (age <45), and disease recurrence. Logistic regression was used to determine the probability of amenorrhea, infertility, and recurrence. Censored data methods were used to determine the probability of early menopause.

RESULTS

A total of 382 women replied. One hundred and sixteen and 266 completed our survey. Two hundred and forty-five reported treatment with potential to impact fertility (i.e., systemic chemotherapy ± radiation/surgery to the abdomen/pelvis). A total of 125 had disease/stage eligible for FSS and 82 (66%) underwent FSS. While many who attempted conception did conceive, 32% did not. Younger age at diagnosis was associated with higher rates of early menopause (P < 0.001) after FSS. Recurrence rates for those undergoing FSS were 8-10%, while none of the women who underwent non-FSS surgery had a recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

FSS maintains an ability to conceive for most patients. However, after FSS, there may be risks of infertility, early menopause with earlier age of treatment, and increased probability of disease recurrence.

Long-term follow-up of patients with an isolated ovarian recurrence after conservative treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer: review of the results of an international multicenter study comprising 545 patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine the long-term outcomes of patients with an isolated ovarian recurrence after fertility sparing surgery (FSS) for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and to evaluate the recurrence rates (and location) according to the new 2014 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system.

DESIGN

Retrospective multicenter study.

SETTING

Teams having reported recurrence after FSS for EOC.

PATIENT(S)

Four series comprising 545 patients undergoing FSS and 63 (12%) recurrences.

INTERVENTION(S)

FSS (salpingo-oophorectomy for a majority of cases) for EOC.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE(S)

Recurrences rates and characteristics of recurrent disease.

RESULT(S)

Among 63 recurrent patients, 24 (38%) recurrences were isolated on the spared ovary, and 39 (62%) arose at an extraovarian site. Among the patients with an isolated ovarian recurrence, three patients died after a median follow-up period of 186 months (range: 28-294 months). Among the patients with recurrent extraovarian disease, 24 died and 7 were alive with persistent disease after a median follow-up period of 34 months (range: 3-231 months). The overall rate of isolated ovarian and extrapelvic recurrences was higher for grade 3 tumors (compared with grades 1/2).

CONCLUSION(S)

The long-term survival of patients with an isolated ovarian recurrence after FSS for EOC remains favorable. The prognosis of patients with an extraovarian recurrence is poor compared with those who have an isolated recurrent ovarian tumor. Grade 3 tumors (compared to grades 1/2) give rise to a higher rate of extraovarian recurrences.

Fertility sparing surgery in gynecologic cancer

Fertility preservation is one of the major concerns of young patients diagnosed with gynecological cancer. With newer treatment regimens and better surgical techniques, survival rates after cancer treatment have improved, hence preservation of fertility has recently become an important issue in the treatment of gynecological cancers. Fertility sparing surgery may be an option for early-stage cervical cancer with the development of loop excision techniques and radical trachelectomy which allows a radical approach to cervix cancer at the same time preserving the uterus and thus fertility. Fertility preservation is possible in Stage 1 epithelial ovarian cancers, germ cell ovarian tumors, and borderline cancers. Hormonal therapy with progestin agents is effective in early endometrial cancer. In patients desiring future pregnancy, fertility sparing options must be explored before starting treatment for gynecologic cancers.

Chemotherapy for gynaecological malignancies and fertility preservation

Infertility is an increasingly important issue for patients surviving cancer. Significant improvements in cancer management have led to greater numbers of patients living healthy and fulfilling lives for many years after a diagnosis of cancer, and the ability to bear children is a major component of well-being. Infertility is particularly challenging in gynaecological cancer, where multiple treatment modalities are often employed. Surgery may involve the removal of reproductive organs and subsequent chemotherapy may also lead to infertility. Mitigation of this through the use of cryopreservation of embryos, oocytes or ovarian tissue before chemotherapy may enable subsequent pregnancy in the patient or a surrogate mother. Suppression of ovarian function during chemotherapy is less well established, but promises a reduction in infertility without the risks associated with surgery. Similarly, evolving chemotherapy regimens with replacement of alkylating agents will reduce the incidence of infertility. With a combination of these techniques, an increasing proportion of patients may be able to conceive after completion of treatment, and there is no evidence of an increase in congenital abnormalities. This review discusses chemotherapy-induced infertility, interventions and success rates, and demonstrates that individualisation of management is required for optimum outcome.

Conservative treatment of early stage ovarian cancer: oncological and fertility outcomes

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer may appear in young women during their reproductive age. As a result of late childbearing nowadays, fertility preservation has become a major issue in young women with gynecological cancer. The aim of this review is to update the current knowledge on conservative treatment and fertility preservation of women affected of early stage epithelial ovarian cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A web-based search in Medline and CancerLit databases on conservative treatment for early stage ovarian cancer has been carried out. All relevant information has been collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Less than 40% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed at early stages. Conservative treatment may be considered in young patients with a relapse rate that ranges from 9% to 29%, and a 5-year survival ranging from 83% to 100%. Recurrences in the controlateral ovary has been reported to be less than 5%, with most of these patients being alive after savage treatments. Moreover, it has been reported good fertility outcomes after conservative treatment with a successful conception rate that ranges from 60% to 100%, with an abortion rate under 30% in all series reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative treatment for early epithelial ovarian cancers could be a safe option for women younger than 40 years who wish to preserve their childbearing potential. We need a strict case selection such as FIGO stage I grade 1 and 2, although grade 3 cases could be considered.

Simultaneous early ovarian and endometrial cancer treated conservatively with spontaneous pregnancy

INTRODUCTION

Young cancer patients increasingly request fertility sparing alternatives to their cancer treatments, which they should be offered when allowed so by the risk-benefit balance and after obtaining informed consent.

CASE PRESENTATION

Here, we report the case of a 25 year-old nulliparous patient who presented with a synchronous endometrioid ovarian and endometrial carcinoma. She was able to conduct a full-term spontaneous pregnancy after conservative surgical treatment followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal treatment. Fertility sparing treatment is feasible in selected cases of synchronous ovarian and endometrial cancers. Thorough follow-up remains mandatory.

CONCLUSION

This case demonstrates some interesting and unique features of synchronous ovarian and endometrial cancers since it resulted in a spontaneous pregnancy and normal delivery.