Fertility-sparing surgery for early-stage cervical cancer

Trans-Mucosal Efficacy of Non-Thermal Plasma Treatment on Cervical Cancer Tissue and Human Cervix Uteri by a Next Generation Electrosurgical Argon Plasma Device

Non-invasive physical plasma (NIPP) generated by non-thermally operated electrosurgical argon plasma sources is a promising treatment for local chronic inflammatory, precancerous and cancerous diseases. NIPP-enabling plasma sources are highly available and medically approved. The purpose of this study is the investigation of the effects of non-thermal NIPP on cancer cell proliferation, viability and apoptosis and the identification of the underlying biochemical and molecular modes of action. For this, cervical cancer (CC) single cells and healthy human cervical tissue were analyzed by cell counting, caspase activity assays, microscopic and flow-cytometric viability measurements and molecular tissue characterization using Raman imaging. NIPP treatment caused an immediate and persisting decrease in CC cell growth and cell viability associated with significant plasma-dependent effects on lipid structures. These effects could also be identified in primary cells from healthy cervical tissue and could be traced into the basal cell layer of superficially NIPP-treated cervical mucosa. This study shows that NIPP treatment with non-thermally operated electrosurgical argon plasma devices is a promising method for the treatment of human mucosa, inducing specific molecular changes in cells.

Molecular Effects and Tissue Penetration Depth of Physical Plasma in Human Mucosa Analyzed by Contact- and Marker-Independent Raman Microspectroscopy

Noninvasive epithelial tissue treatment with cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a promising option for local treatment of chronic inflammatory and precancerous lesions as well as various mucosal cancer diseases. Atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJ) are well-characterized and medically approved plasma sources. There are numbers of medically approved plasma sources for the treatment of epithelial diseases; however, little is known about the biochemical effects of CAP at the plasma-tissue interface. Furthermore, the actual penetration depth of CAP into tissue is currently unclear. Noninvasive and marker-independent Raman microspectroscopy was employed to assess the molecular effects of CAP on single cells and primary human cervical tissue samples. CAP treatment showed immediate and persisting changes of specific molecular tissue components determined by multivariate analysis. Raman imaging identified CAP-dependent changes in the morphology of the tissue, as well as molecular tissue components. The expression of the different components was not significantly altered within 24 h of incubation. DNA and lipids showed the strongest changes upon CAP treatment, which were traced to the basal cell layer of cervical epithelium, corresponding to an average functional plasma penetration depth of roughly 270 μm. In this study, Raman microspectroscopy is shown to be a promising method for molecular single-cell and solid tissue characterization. Regarding CAP treatment of tissues, Raman microspectroscopy could be suitable for the screening of biological mechanisms as well as for future contact- and marker-independent monitoring of plasma tissue effects.

Fertility-sparing management in cervical cancer: balancing oncologic outcomes with reproductive success

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, many of who are still within their reproductive lifespan. Advances in screening and treatment have increased the 5-year survival for early stage disease to over 90 % in developed countries. The focus is now shifting to reducing morbidity and improving fertility outcomes for cervical cancer patients. Radical trachelectomy with lymph node assessment became the standard of care for selected women with lesions <2 cm who desire fertility preservation. However, several questions still remain regarding the degree of surgical radicality required for tumors <2 cm, and fertility-sparing options for women with early-stage disesase ≥2 cm, and those with more advanced disease. Here, we compile a narrative review of the evidence for oncologic and pregnancy outcomes following radical trachelectomy, non-radical fertility-sparing surgery, and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery for larger lesions. We also review the literature for assisted reproductive technologies in women with more advanced disease.

FINDINGS

Available literature suggests that the crude recurrence and mortality rates after radical trachelectomy are <5 and <2 %, respectively (approx. 11 and 4 % for tumors ≥ 2 cm). Among 1238 patients who underwent fertility-sparing surgery for early cervical cancer there were 469 pregnancies with a 67 % live birth rate. Among 134 cases with lesions ≥ 2 cm, there were ten conceptions with a live birth rate of 70 %. Outcomes after non-radical surgery (simple trachelectomy or cervical conization) are similar, although only applicable among a highly selected patient population. For patients ineligible for fertility-preserving surgery or who require adjuvant radiation therapy, current options include ovarian transposition and cryopreservation of oocytes or embryos but other techniques are under investigation.

CONCLUSION

Today, many cervical cancer survivors have successful pregnancies. For those with early-stage disease, minimally invasive and fertility sparing techniques have resulted in improved obstetrical outcomes without compromising oncologic safety. Results from three ongoing trials on non-radical surgery for low-risk tumors <2 cm will further inform the need for radical surgery in such patients. For those in whom natural childbearing is unachievable, advances in assisted reproductive technologies provide reproductive options. Despite our advances, the effects of cervical cancer survivorship on quality of life are not fully elucidated.

Conservative Surgery for Early Cervical Cancer

There is a rising incidence of early cervical cancer in young patients as a result of screening and early detection. Treatment of cervical cancer by surgery or radiotherapy results in permanent infertility which affects the quality of life of cancer survivors. Now with improved survival rates among early cervical cancer patients, conservative surgery aiming at fertility preservation in those desiring future pregnancy is an accepted treatment. Conservative surgery is possible in early cervical cancer including micro invasive cancer and stage IB cancers less than 2 cm. Stage IA1 cervical cancer is treated effectively by cervical conisation. In stage IA2 cancers and stage IB1 cancers less than 2 cm the fertility preservation surgery is radical trachelectomy. Radical trachelectomy removes the cervix with medial parametrium and upper 2 cm vaginal cuff retaining the uterus and adnexa to allow future pregnancy. Radical trachelectomy is a safe procedure in selected patients with cancer cervix with acceptable oncologic risks and promising obstetric outcome. It should be avoided in tumours larger than 2 cm and aggressive histologic types. This article focuses on the current options of conservative surgery in early cervical cancer.

Radical Vaginal Trachelectomy with Laparoscopic Pelvic Lymphadenectomy for Fertility Preservation in Young Women with Early-Stage Cervical Cancer

The primary objective of this study was to describe our experience with the conservative treatment of early-stage cervical cancer (stages IA1, IA2, and IB1) with radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT) and laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy. This retrospective observational case series included 36 patients with early cervical cancer. Radical trachelectomy and laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed as described by D. Dargent in 32 of these cases. Oncologic, reproductive, and obstetric outcomes were observed subsequently over a median period of 42 (24-96) weeks. A total of 32 RVTs were preformed with a mean operating time of 117 ± 22.8 (77-167) minutes and an average blood loss of 486 mL (150-800 mL). All obtained resection margins were negative for cancer. Lymphovascular space invasion was noted in 11 (30.55 %) of the cases. No recurrences occurred during the study period. Seven (17.8 %) patients were able to become pregnant postoperatively, five of whom delivered healthy infants near term. Radical vaginal trachelectomy with laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy appears to be a safe therapeutic option for fertility preservation in young women with early cervical cancer.

Abdominal radical trachelectomy: a Romanian series

Objective

Abdominal radical trachelectomy (ART) is one of the fertility-sparing procedures in women with early-stage cervical cancer. The published results of ART, in comparison with vaginal radical trachelectomy, so far are limited.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study comprises all cases of female patients referred to ART with early-stage cervical cancer from 2 gynecologic oncology centers in Romania.

Results

A total of 29 women were referred for ART, but subsequently, fertility could not be preserved in 3 of them. Eleven women had stage IA2 disease (42.3%), 14 (53.8%) women had stage IB1 disease, and 1 (3.8%) woman had stage IB2 disease. Histologic subtypes were 15 (57.6%) squamous, 8 (30.7%) adenocarcinoma, and 3 (11.5%) adenosquamous. There were no major intraoperative complications in both hospitals. Early postoperative complications were mainly related to the type C parametrectomy—bladder dysfunction for more than 7 days (8 [30.7%] women) and prolonged constipation (6 [23.0%] women). Other complications consisted in symptomatic lymphocele in 2 (7.6%) patients, which were drained. Median follow-up time was 20 months (range, 4–43 months). Up to the present time, there has been 1 (3.8%) recurrence in our series. Most patients did not experience late postoperative complications. Three (11.5%) women are amenorrheic, and 1 (3.8%) woman developed a cervical stenosis. Of the 23 women who have normal menstruation and maintained their fertility, a total of 7 (30.4%) women have attempted pregnancy, and 3 (42.8%) of them achieved pregnancy spontaneously. These pregnancies ended in 2 first trimester miscarriages and 1 live birth at term by cesarean delivery.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that ART preserves fertility and maintains excellent oncological outcomes with low complication rates.

New application of carbon nanotubes in haemostatic dressing filled with anticancer substance

The drug-carrier system used as innovative haemostatic dressing with oncostatic action is studied. It is obtained from CDDP (cisplatin) doped SWCNT (single walled carbon nanotubes), modified and purified by H2O2 in hydrothermal treatment process. In the in vivo nephron sparing surgery (NSS) study we used 35 BALB/c nude mice with induced renal cancer using adenocarcinoma 786-o cells. Animals were divided into four groups: CDDP(M-), CDDP(M+), CONTROL(M-) and CONTROL(M+). In CDDP(M-) and CDDP(M+) groups we used, intraoperatively, carbon nanotubes filled with cisplatin (CDDP). In CONTROL(M-) and CONTROL(M+) groups carbon nanotubes were used alone. During NSS free margin (M-) or positive margin (M+) was performed. In the CDDP(M-) group, we do not observe local tumor recurrences. In Group CDDP(M+) only one animal was diagnosed with tumor recurrence. In control groups the recurrent tumor formation was observed. In our study, it is shown that CDDP filled SWCNT inhibit cancer recurrence in animal model NSS study, and can be successfully applied as haemostatic dressings for local chemoprevention.

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.

Laparoscopic fertility sparing management of cervical cancer

Fertility can be preserved after conservative cervical surgery. We report on a 29-year-old woman who was obese, para 0, and diagnosed with cervical insufficiency at the first trimester of current pregnancy due to a previous trachelectomy. She underwent laparoscopic transabdominal cervical cerclage (LTCC) for cervical cancer. The surgery was successful and she was discharged two days later. The patient underwent a caesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation. Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive approach associated with less pain and faster recovery, feasible even in obese women.

Ethical, Socioeconomic, and Cultural Considerations in Gynecologic Cancer Care in Developing Countries

Gynaecologic cancers contribute significantly to the cancer burden in developing countries, resulting in higher mortality and morbidity rates among women in these nations. This situation is further compounded by the occurrence of wars, famine, poverty and natural disasters, and infectious diseases like hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS. In addition, merge resources and manpower lack in these countries further compound this very delicate situation. Often times, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethical factors such as truth-telling, choice of place of care, place of death, treatment choices, medication use, and terminal sedation can interfere in patient management. Availability and use of oral morphine for pain relief, spiritual care and availability of palliative care services, the individuals’ autonomy, and family and community participation in care, end of life issues, and preservation of fertility are also big issues that determine the course of care. This review discusses these pertinent factors, discusses how they affect cancer care in women, and proffers ideas for healthcare workers and policy makers on implementation of sustainable models for cancer care in developing countries. Addressing socioeconomic, cultural, and ethical issues affecting gynaecologic cancer care will aid in ensuring development of viable models of cancer care in resource-limited countries.

Conservative treatment in early cervical cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to describe fertility preservation methods to improve quality of life of early stages of cervical cancer.

RECENT FINDING

Although definite treatment of early stages of cervical cancer including stages IA,IB1 and IIA non-bulky is radial hysterectomy, this method is used in perimenopousal period in which fertility preservation is not important. Whenever fertility preservation is so important, some methods like radical trachelectomy and laparoscopic lymphadenectomy are used to rule out lymphatic metastases.

SUMMARY

If any visible lesion on cervix is found, pelvic MRI is helpful and during operation, trachelectomy samples are sent for frozen section and margin study. Radical trachelectomy is done vaginal or abdominal. Overall relapse rate of cervical cancer in radical trachelectomy and radical hysterectomy is the same. Complications of radical trachelectomy include chronic vaginal discharge, abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, inflammation and ulcer due to cercelage, amenorrhea, cervical stenosis and pregnancy complications following trachelectomy including 2(nd) trimester abortion and premature labor following cervical prematurity.The best and preferred method of labor is cesarean section. Neoadjuant chemotherapy followed by radical trachelectomy in large cervical lesions is a suitable treatment. Ultraconservative operations like large cold knife conization, simple trachelectomy with laparoscopic lymphadenectomy and sentinel lymph node mapping are suitable for very small lesions.

Radical vaginal trachelectomy: a fertility-preserving procedure in early cervical cancer in young women

BACKGROUND

Radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT) is a fertility-preserving operation for young women who have cervical cancer in an early stage and want to have children. The demand for RVT is increasing, because more than 40% of all cases of cervical carcinoma affect women under the age of 44. Women are increasingly having their first child at later ages.

METHODS

We present the results of RVT in more than 300 patients whom we operated on, review pertinent literature retrieved by a selective PubMed search, and evaluate treatment recommendations.

RESULTS

The literature contains data on more than 1000 women treated with RVT and nearly 300 pregnancies after RVT. The 5-year recurrence and mortality rates are 2%-5% and 3%-6%, respectively. RVT is an oncologically safe treatment for women who want to have children. The main criteria for treatment with RVT are that the tumor should be no greater than 2 cm in diameter and that the lymph nodes should be histopathologically free of tumor tissue. The laparoscopic-vaginal technique is the best operative approach to assure a high rate of healing. Only one-third of all patients want to have children a short time after RVT. Their pregnancy rates resemble those of women in the general population. 50% of the children are born prematurely, mainly because of premature rupture of the membranes. Thus, pregnancies after RVT are considered high-risk pregnancies.

CONCLUSION

As many as 48% of women with early-stage cervical carcinoma meet the criteria for RVT. RVT is an oncologically safe method that enables women with early-stage cervical carcinoma to become pregnant and have children. Pregnancy after RVT is associated with an elevated risk of preterm birth and should be managed according to standardized procedures.