Development of criteria for ovarian preservation in cervical cancer patients treated with radical surgery with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a multicenter retrospective study and meta-analysis

Adjuvant chemotherapy versus adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy after radical surgery for early-stage cervical cancer: a randomized, non-inferiority, multicenter trial

We conducted a prospective study to assess the non-inferiority of adjuvant chemotherapy alone versus adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as an alternative strategy for patients with early-stage (FIGO 2009 stage IB-IIA) cervical cancer having risk factors after surgery. The condition was assessed in terms of prognosis, adverse effects, and quality of life. This randomized trial involved nine centers across China. Eligible patients were randomized to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or CCRT after surgery. The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS). From December 2012 to December 2014, 337 patients were subjected to randomization. Final analysis included 329 patients, including 165 in the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 164 in the adjuvant CCRT group. The median follow-up was 72.1 months. The three-year PFS rates were both 91.9%, and the five-year OS was 90.6% versus 90.0% in adjuvant chemotherapy and CCRT groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the PFS or OS between groups. The adjusted HR for PFS was 0.854 (95% confidence interval 0.415-1.757; P = 0.667) favoring adjuvant chemotherapy, excluding the predefined non-inferiority boundary of 1.9. The chemotherapy group showed a tendency toward good quality of life. In comparison with post-operative adjuvant CCRT, adjuvant chemotherapy treatment showed non-inferior efficacy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer having pathological risk factors. Adjuvant chemotherapy alone is a favorable alternative post-operative treatment.

Surgical Management for Transposed Ovarian Recurrence of Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review with Our Experience

In early-stage cervical cancer, ovarian metastasis is relatively rare, and ovarian transposition is often performed during surgery. Although rare, the diagnosis and surgical approach for recurrence at transposed ovaries are challenging. This study focused on the diagnosis and surgical management of transposed ovarian recurrence in cervical cancer patients. A 45-year-old premenopausal woman underwent radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and pelvic lymphadenectomy following postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy for stage IB1 cervical cancer. During the initial surgery, the ovary was transposed to the paracolic gutter, and no postoperative complications were observed. Ovarian recurrence was diagnosed using positron emission tomography-computed tomography, and a laparoscopic bilateral oophorectomy was performed. A systematic review identified nine women with transposed ovarian recurrence with no other metastases of cervical cancer, and no studies have discussed the optimal surveillance of transposed ovaries. Of those (n = 9), four women had died of the disease within 2 years of the second surgery, and the prognosis of transposed ovarian cervical cancer seemed poor. Nevertheless, three women underwent laparoscopic oophorectomies, none of whom experienced recurrence after the second surgery. Few studies have examined the surgical management of transposed ovarian recurrence. The optimal surgical approach for transposed ovarian recurrence of cervical cancer requires further investigation.

Clinical, Morphologic, and Molecular Features Associated With Ovarian Metastases From Pattern A Endocervical Adenocarcinomas

Ovarian metastases from endocervical adenocarcinomas (EAs) are rare but well-described. Silva Pattern A tumors have been reported to pose essentially no risk of lymph node metastases or recurrence. We describe a cohort of patients with Silva Pattern A EAs with ovarian metastases, as well as involvement of other sites. Eight pattern A EAs with ovarian metastases (4 synchronous, 4 metachronous) were identified from our institution's pathologic archives (2008-2021). Clinicopathologic and molecular features for each case were recorded. All patients were treated by hysterectomy; in each case, the entire tumor was submitted for histologic evaluation. The synchronous metastases were all clinically suspected to be ovarian primary tumors; EAs with metachronous ovarian involvement were confined to the uterus at initial diagnosis, with ovarian metastasis occurring 5 to 171 months after hysterectomy. Morphologically, all tumors were predominantly gland-forming, 5/8 (63%) displayed prominent mucinous differentiation, and 5/8 (63%) involved the corpus. All EAs were either noninvasive (exophytic/papillary/more complex than adenocarcinoma in situ) or showed nondestructive cervical stromal invasion to a depth of 5 mm or less. In the 5 tumors tested by next-generation sequencing, ARID1A, GNAS, and KRAS mutations were detected in 2 (40%), 3 (60%), and 4 (80%) cases, respectively. All 6 patients with follow-up (range, 32 to 181 mo; median, 99.5 mo) had at least 1 recurrence. All but one are without evident disease at last clinical assessment. In an otherwise typical Silva Pattern A EA, corpus involvement, mucinous differentiation, and certain gene mutations may be associated with risk for synchronous or metachronous ovarian metastases.

The role of oophoropexy in patients with gynecological cancer who need radiation therapy

Pelvic radiotherapy is an essential component of cancer therapy for patients with cervical and other gynecological malignancies. The ovaries are particularly radiosensitive, and even low radiotherapy doses may result in impaired or complete loss of ovarian function, causing hormonal disturbances and infertility. Recent advances in both surgery and radiotherapy have facilitated the ability of some patients to maintain ovarian function through ovarian transposition and careful radiotherapy planning. Multidisciplinary discussions should be undertaken to consider which candidates are appropriate for transposition. Generally, patients under age 35 should be considered due to ovarian reserve, likelihood of oophoropexy success, and radioresistance of ovaries. Those patients with small squamous cell tumors, minimal extra-uterine extension, and no lymphovascular invasion or lymph node involvement are ideal candidates to minimize risk of ovarian metastasis. Patients should be assessed and counseled about the risks of ovarian metastasis and the likelihood of successful ovarian preservation before undergoing oophoropexy and starting treatment. Oophoropexy should be bilateral if possible, and ovaries should be placed superior and lateral to the radiotherapy field. Studies limiting the mean ovarian dose to less than 2–3 Gray have demonstrated excellent preservation of ovarian function. Intensity modulated radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy techniques have the potential to further minimize the dose to the ovary with excellent outcomes. The addition of brachytherapy to the treatment regimen will probably cause minimal risk to transposed ovaries. Oophoropexy before radiotherapy may preserve the hormonal function of ovaries for a duration, and fertility might be possible through surrogate pregnancy. Successful ovarian transposition has the potential to improve the overall health and wellbeing, reproductive options, and potentially quality of life in patients with cervical and other gynecological cancers.

Risk of ovarian recurrence after ovarian conservation in early-stage cervical cancer treated with radical surgery: A propensity match analysis

INTRODUCTION

The primary aim of the present study was to assess the incidence of ovarian metastasis/recurrence and the survival of patients undergoing radical hysterectomy with ovarian conservation (CONSERV) versus oophorectomy (OOPHOR). Secondary aim was to assess the incidence and the characteristics of menopausal symptoms in both groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective, multi-center, observational cohort study including patients <50 years with clinical FIGO 2009 stage IA1-IB1/IIA1 cervical carcinoma, treated by primary surgical treatment between 02/2007 and 07/2019. One-to-one case-control matching was used to adjust the baseline prognostic characteristics in survival analysis.

RESULTS

419 patients were included. 264 in the OOPHOR (63.0%) and 155 (37.0%) in the CONSERV group. Ovarian transposition was performed in 28/155 (18.1%) patients. 1/264 (0.4%) patient had ovarian metastasis from endocervical adenocarcinoma. After propensity-matching, 310 patients were included in the survival analysis (155 per group). 5-year disease-free survival of patients undergoing CONSERV versus OOPHOR was 90.6% versus 82.2%, respectively (p = 0.028); 5-year overall survival was 94.3% versus 90.8%, respectively (p = 0.157). Two patients (1.3%) developed recurrence on the conserved ovary. CONSERV represented an independent protective factor of recurrence (HR:0.361, 95%CI 0.169-0.769; p = 0.008). 28 (20.6%) in the CONSERV group versus 116 (60.4%) in the OOPHOR group complained of menopausal symptoms during follow up (p < 0.001). HRT was prescribed to 12.0% of patients (median HRT time was 20 months).

CONCLUSION

CONSERV was associated with reduced risk of recurrence and menopausal symptoms in early-stage cervical cancer. As the risk of ovarian metastasis and ovarian recurrence is relatively low, CONSERV in pre-menopausal women has to be considered.

Ovarian transposition and cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common female malignancy worldwide. As the focus of treatment is shifting towards balancing oncological outcomes with reproductive benefit, women are becoming increasingly aware of their fertility options. Cervical cancer is one of the primary malignancies where transposition of the ovaries may be indicated. Ovarian transposition should be performed in pre-menopausal women, undergoing pelvic irradiation to preserve ovarian function and prevent early menopause. The review discusses the available literature and synthesises a concise summary for gynaecologic oncology surgeons to counsel affected women. The paradoxical controversy, leading to its under use is acknowledged, due to the scarcity of published data with regard to functional outcomes, and the lack of clinical trials. In cervical cancer, ovarian transposition remains a safe fertility preservation (FP) option, which is associated with high ovarian function preservation, an acceptable rate of ovarian cysts and a negligible risk for metastases in the transposed ovaries.

Safety and Prognostic Impacts of Ovarian Preservation during Radical Hysterectomy for Early-Stage Adenocarcinoma and Adenosquamous Cervical Cancer

Objective

To identify the incidence of ovarian metastasis and the impact of ovarian preservation on oncological outcomes for early-stage adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous cervical cancer.

Methods

281 patients with stages IA2-IB1 adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy (RHND) were included in the study. The incidence of ovarian metastasis was evaluated from 173 patients who underwent oophorectomy during RHND. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients less than 50 years (196 of 281 patients) who were classified into two groups, ovarian preservation and nonovarian preservation groups. 5-year recurrence-free survival (5-yr RFS) and 5-year overall survival (5-yr OS) were evaluated and compared between these groups.

Results

There was no evidence of ovarian metastasis, synchronous ovarian cancer, or ovarian recurrence during follow-up. In patients less than 50 years of age, there were no statistically significant differences in the 5-yr RFS (P = 0.363), or 5-yr OS (P = 0.974) between the ovarian preservation and nonovarian preservation groups. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the ovarian preservation group seemed to have a slightly better OS in long-term follow-up (after 15 years); however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Ovarian preservation was safe in adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous cervical cancer stages IA2-B1. However, the impact of ovarian preservation on oncological outcomes needs to be further investigated.

Ovarian metastasis in women with cervical carcinoma in stages IA to IIB: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is one of the common malignancies that afflict women worldwide. In rare cases, cervical cancer leads to ovarian metastasis (OM), resulting in poor outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of OM in patients with adenocarcinoma (ADC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix.

METHODS

We searched articles focused on OM in cervical carcinoma in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A meta-analysis was performed including selected publications. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using random-effects models. The heterogeneity was evaluated by the I test. I > 50% was considered high heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies with 18,389 patients with cervical cancer in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IA to IIB were included in the meta-analysis. The overall incidence of OM was 3.61% among patients with ADC and 1.46% among patients with SCC (ADC vs SCC: OR 3.89, 95% CI 2.62-5.78; P < .001). Risk factors for OM were age >40 years (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.02-3.13), bulky tumor (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.77-3.95), pelvic lymph node involvement (PLNI; OR 9.33, 95% CI 6.34-13.73), lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI; OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.86-10.31), parametrial invasion (PMI; OR 7.87, 95% CI 5.01-12.36), and corpus uteri invasion (CUI; OR 7.64, 95% CI 2.51-23.24). PLNI, LVSI, and PMI were the leading risk factors, contributing to OM with respective population attributable fractions of 64.8%, 58.8%, and 51.5%.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of OM is relatively low in ADC and SCC patients. Risk factors for OM include PLNI, LVSI, PMI, bulky tumor, CUI, or age over 40 years, with the first 3 contributing more to risk of OM.

Oncological Outcomes and Safety of Ovarian Preservation for Early Stage Adenocarcinoma of Cervix: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: To evaluate the oncological outcomes and safety of ovarian preservation, and to review the prognostic factors for ovarian metastases in early stage cervical adenocarcinoma.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for publications up to January 2019. Two investigators independently screened the studies for eligibility and extracted specific data. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using STATA statistical software version 19.0.

Results: A total of 68 unique manuscripts were identified through the search strategy, and 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis of the safety of ovarian preservation. Fixed-effects model was used because of moderate heterogeneity. Pooled results of the included studies showed that ovarian preservation is not associated with a statistically significant OS (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.64–1.56, I² = 25.7%) or PFS (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.57–1.66, I² = 0%) in early stage cervical adenocarcinoma. In addition, 19 studies were included in the review of prognostic factors for cervical adenocarcinoma and risk factors for ovarian metastases. The incidence of ovarian metastases was 0% in stage IA, 2.8% in stage IB, 3.4% in stage IIA, and 11.8% in stage IIB cervical adenocarcinoma. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, tumor size, deep stromal invasion (DSI), lymph node metastasis (LNM), and vaginal invasion were significantly related to poor prognosis. Risk factors associated with ovarian metastases included age, FIGO stage, tumor size, DSI, parametrial invasion, corpus uteri invasion, LNM, vaginal invasion, and blood vessel invasion.

Conclusions: Ovarian preservation in young patients with early stage cervical adenocarcinoma is safe and has no significant effect on OS or PFS. Preserving ovaries in patients with FIGO stage IIB seems not reasonable because of the high rate of ovarian metastasis.

Independent risk factors for ovarian metastases in stage IA-IIB cervical carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cancer is a common malignant tumor in women; most cervical cancer patients are premenopausal. Ovarian resection or preservation remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to discover the risk factors for ovarian metastasis in women with stage I-II cervical cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 3292 women with cervical carcinoma who had undergone radical hysterectomy, with pelvic lymphadenectomy and bilateral oophorectomy or wedge resection of ovaries, were included in this multicenter retrospective study. We analyzed patients' demographics, International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology stage, and histopathologic records to determine clinicopathologic risk factors of ovarian metastasis.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 115 (3.49%) were confirmed to have ovarian metastasis. The ovarian metastasis rate was 2% (56/2794) for squamous cell carcinoma and 11.8% (59/498) for nonsquamous cell carcinoma. The risk factors independently associated with ovarian metastasis were histologic type (odds ratio [OR] 8.76, 95% CI 2.09-19.24), lymph node metastasis (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.76-4.89), lymphovascular space invasion (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.98-4.24), and corpus invasion (OR 6.34, 95% CI 2.37-11.42).

CONCLUSIONS

The histologic type, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular space invasion, and corpus invasion were independently associated with ovarian metastasis. Histologic type and corpus invasion were the most important risk factors. Therefore, we suggest that corpus invasion might be a strong contraindication for preservation of the ovaries.

Is the ovarian preservation safe in young women with stages IB-IIA villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix?

Objective

Because villoglandular adenocarcinoma (VGA) of the uterine cervix has favorable features and outcomes, patients receive less radical surgery and young women preserve their ovaries. We aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological features and outcomes of VGA and to see if the ovarian preservation is safe in young women with VGA.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed medical records and identified patients with VGA, who had been treated and followed from January 2004 to December 2015.

Results

This study consisted of 17 patients with VGA, including 9 premenopausal women. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB1 disease was found in 12 patients (70.6%), IA1 in 2, IA2 in 1, IB2 in 1, and IIA1 in 1. Of the 12 women diagnosed with stage IB1 disease, a young woman received only conization and she has not showed a recurrence. During a median follow-up of 58 months (range: 12–116), 4 patients, who had undergone radical surgery for stage IB1 disease, had a recurrence and one of them died due to disease progression. Among patients with stages IB–IIA disease, 2 premenopausal women did not receive simultaneous oophorectomy or chemoradiation therapy. Both of them had a recurrent tumor at adnexa.

Conclusion

This study revealed favorable features and outcomes of VGA. However, the appropriate treatment for young women with early-stage VGA must be cautiously selected. Ovarian preservation might not be safe when young women with stages IB–IIA VGA undergo surgical procedures.

Development and validation of a surgical-pathologic staging and scoring system for cervical cancer

Background

Most cervical cancer patients worldwide receive surgical treatments, and yet the current International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system do not consider surgical-pathologic data. We propose a more comprehensive and prognostically valuable surgical-pathologic staging and scoring system (SPSs).

Methods

Records from 4,220 eligible cervical cancer cases (Cohort 1) were screened for surgical-pathologic risk factors. We constructed a surgical-pathologic staging and SPSs, which was subsequently validated in a prospective study of 1,104 cervical cancer patients (Cohort 2).

Results

In Cohort 1, seven independent risk factors were associated with patient outcome: lymph node metastasis (LNM), parametrial involvement, histological type, grade, tumor size, stromal invasion, and lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI). The FIGO staging system was revised and expanded into a surgical-pathologic staging system by including additional criteria of LNM, stromal invasion, and LVSI. LNM was subdivided into three categories based on number and location of metastases. Inclusion of all seven prognostic risk factors improves practical applicability. Patients were stratified into three SPSs risk categories: zero-, low-, and high-score with scores of 0, 1 to 3, and ≥4 (P=1.08E-45; P=6.15E-55). In Cohort 2, 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes decreased with increased SPSs scores (P=9.04E-15; P=3.23E-16), validating the approach. Surgical-pathologic staging and SPSs show greater homogeneity and discriminatory utility than FIGO staging.

Conclusions

Surgical-pathologic staging and SPSs improve characterization of tumor severity and disease invasion, which may more accurately predict outcome and guide postoperative therapy.

Ovarian conservation is associated with better survival in young patients with T1N0M0 cervical adenocarcinoma: a population-based study

PURPOSE

Ovarian conservation is controversial in patients with cervical adenocarcinoma due to the risk of ovarian metastasis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of ovarian conservation with survival outcomes in young patients with T1N0M0 cervical adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Women who were 45 years of age or younger with T1N0M0 cervical adenocarcinoma from 1988 to 2013 recorded in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were included. Propensity score weighting was used to balance the intragroup differences. Cause-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were compared using Kaplan-Meier estimates. A multivariate Cox model was used to adjust for covariates including propensity score. A stratified analysis was then conducted.

RESULTS

Totally, 1090 (79.7%) patients underwent oophorectomy and 278 (20.3%) patients whose ovaries were preserved were identified. Patients with preserved ovaries were younger, with a lower T classification and less likely to undergo pelvic lymphadenectomy (all p < 0.05). After propensity weighting, ovarian conservation group had better cause-specific survival (CSS) (5-year 98.8 versus 97.1%, 10-year 98.0 versus 95.2%, p = 0.0370) and overall survival (OS) (5-year 98.8 versus 97.1%, 10-year 96.5 versus 93.5%, p = 0.0025). After adjustment, the CSS benefit of ovarian conservation was marginally significant (p = 0.051) and OS benefit was still significant (p = 0.006). Stratified analysis showed that the CSS benefit was found in T1b classification (HR, 0.23; 95% CI 0.06-0.89, p = 0.033) and histological grade > 1 (HR 0.12; 95% CI 0.02-0.87; p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Among young women with T1N0M0 cervical adenocarcinoma, ovarian conservation is associated with better survival.

Identifying a candidate population for ovarian conservation in young women with clinical stage IB-IIB cervical cancer

This study seeks to identify risk factors associated with ovarian metastasis and to characterize a population with minimum risk of ovarian metastasis in young women with stage IB-IIB cervical cancer. This was a nation-wide multicenter retrospective study in Japan examining consecutive cases of surgically-treated women with clinical stage IB-IIB cervical cancer who had oophorectomy at radical hysterectomy (n = 5,697). Multivariable analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for ovarian metastasis. Ovarian metastasis was seen in 70 (1.2%, 95% confidence interval 0.9-1.5) cases. In the entire cohort, adenocarcinoma, lympho-vascular space invasion, uterine corpus tumor invasion, and pelvic/para-aortic nodal metastases remained independent risk factors for ovarian metastasis (all, adjusted-p < 0.05). In a sensitivity analysis of 3,165 women aged <50 years (ovarian metastasis, 1.0%), adenocarcinoma, parametrial tumor involvement, uterine corpus tumor involvement, and pelvic/para-aortic nodal metastases remained independent risk factors for ovarian metastasis (all, adjusted-P < 0.05). In the absence of these five risk factors (representing 46.1% of women aged <50 years), the incidence of ovarian metastasis was 0.14%. With the presence of adenocarcinoma alone (representing 18.9% of women aged <50 years), the incidence of ovarian metastasis was 0.17% and was not associated with increased risk of ovarian metastasis compared to the subgroup without any risk factors (p = 0.87). In conclusion, nearly two thirds of women aged <50 years with clinical stage IB-IIB cervical cancer had no risk factor for ovarian metastasis or had adenocarcinoma alone: these subgroups had ovarian metastasis rates of around 0.1% and may be a candidate population for ovarian conservation at surgical treatment.

Ovarian preservation in adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix

Background

An upward trending incidence in cervical adenocarcinoma (ADC) has been reported in many countries. Because non-squamous histology has been associated with increased risk of ovarian metastases (OM), bilateral oophorectomy is commonly performed for ADC without due consideration for ovarian preservation, degrading the quality of life for young premenopausal patients.

Methods

Subjects were patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I–IIB cervical ADC who underwent radical hysterectomy, including pelvic lymphadenectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at our institution between Oct. 2006 and Sept. 2014. Clinicopathologic variables were studied by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Of the 312 patients enrolled in the study, 14 patients (4.5%) developed OM. Multivariate analysis revealed that uterine corpus involvement (odds ratio [OR] 5.178, p = 0.019), parametrial involvement (OR 14.125, p = 0.005) and vaginal infiltration (OR 4.167, p = 0.047) were independently associated with metastasis. OM had no effect on either relapse-free survival (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.077–4.095, p = 0.57) or overall survival (95% CI: 0.893–9.820, p = 0.076).

Conclusion

Cervical ADC is associated with an increased risk of OM. Ovarian preservation surgery in cervical ADC may be safe for young patients at an early FIGO stage without deep stromal, endometrial or perineural invasion, and particularly without uterine corpus invasion, parametrial involvement and infiltration into the vagina.

Ovarian Conservation and Overall Survival in Young Women With Early-Stage Cervical Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of ovarian conservation at hysterectomy and to examine the association of ovarian conservation and survival of young women with early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program to identify hysterectomy-based surgically treated patients with stage I cervical cancer diagnosed between 1983 and 2012 (N=16,511). Multivariable models were used to identify independent factors associated with ovarian conservation. Among the subgroup of 9,419 women younger than 50 years of age with stage I disease, survival outcomes and causes of death were examined for 3,908 (41.5%) women who underwent ovarian conservation at hysterectomy without radiotherapy.

RESULTS

On multivariable analysis, age younger than 50 years, stage IA disease, and squamous histology were independent factors associated with ovarian conservation (all, P<.001). Among 5,526 women younger than 50 years of age with stage IA disease who underwent hysterectomy without radiotherapy, overall survival was significantly higher in patients undergoing ovarian conservation than in those undergoing oophorectomy (20-year rate, 93.5% compared with 86.8%, P<.001); cervical cancer-specific survival was similar between the patients who underwent ovarian conservation and those who underwent oophorectomy (98.8% compared with 97.8%, P=.12). On multivariable analysis, ovarian conservation remained an independent prognostic factor for improved overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.49-0.82, P=.001) and was independently associated with lower cumulative risks of death resulting from cardiovascular disease (20-year cumulative rate, 1.2% compared with 3.3%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.26-0.86, P=.014) and other chronic disease (0.5% compared with 1.4%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.65, P=.005) compared with oophorectomy. Both cervical cancer-specific survival (20-year rate, 93.1% compared with 92.0%, P=.37) and overall survival (86.7% compared with 84.6%, P=.12) were similar between ovarian conservation and oophorectomy among 3,893 women younger than 50 years of age with stage IB disease who underwent hysterectomy without radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Among young women with stage IA cervical cancer, ovarian conservation at hysterectomy is associated with decreased all-cause mortality including death resulting from cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.

Early Stage Adenocarcinoma of Cervix with Ovarian Micrometastasis

Adenocarcinoma of cervix is a rare malignancy of cervix. It is an aggressive tumor with a high incidence of metastasis. Ovarian metastasis in early stage adenocarcinoma is rare. Metastasis is usually seen when there is some other coexisting finding. In premenopausal patient and low-risk category, ovarian metastasis is very rare. Early stage adenocarcinoma of cervix can rarely present with ovarian metastasis. Thus, radical surgery with oophorectomy is an aggressive but practical approach in these patients but may not warrant removal in all cases. Ovarian metastasis places these patients at a higher stage. The management of these cases is not standardized, and prognosis is generally good.

Fertility-sparing surgery for uterine cervical cancer

The standard treatment for early cervical cancer of the uterus (CC) is radical hysterectomy with resection of the parametrium and pelvic lymphadenectomy. At least 40% of patients develop early-stage CC during child-bearing age, therefore preserving the uterus to maintain fertility has been an important consideration. Several surgical procedures including conization and vaginal or abdominal radical trachelectomy have been reported. These procedures are safe for removing lymph node negative CC tumors with <2 cm diameter. Recently, less radical surgical procedures that maintain fertility, such as conization, simple trachelectomy, minimally invasive surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, have been indicated for tumors greater than 2 cm in diameter. In this review, we discuss the currently accepted surgical approaches for treating CC while maintaining fertility.

Safety of ovarian preservation in women with stage I and II cervical adenocarcinoma: a retrospective study and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The safety of ovarian preservation remains uncertain in women with cervical adenocarcinoma and significant risk factors for ovarian metastases vary among different studies.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the impact of ovarian preservation on prognosis in women with cervical adenocarcinoma and to assess clinical factors associated with ovarian metastases.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study of 194 women with cervical adenocarcinoma was conducted and 159 women were followed up until the end of the study. To compare the impact of ovarian preservation on prognosis, women with successful follow-up were studied, including 33 women with ovarian preservation and 126 women who underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. For women who underwent radical hysterectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, the risk factors for ovarian metastases were identified. A meta-analysis of the literature was carried out to further validate the findings.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in survival between women with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and ovarian preservation (P = .423 for disease-free survival; P = .330 for overall survival). Tumor size (>4 cm), deep cervical stromal invasion, and lymph node metastasis were significant independent prognostic factors related to poor disease-free survival, and lymph node metastasis was significantly associated with overall survival. Of 153 women with cervical adenocarcinoma who underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, a significant difference was found in the relationship between ovarian metastasis and deep cervical stromal invasion, lymph node metastasis, and parametrial invasion. The meta-analysis showed that clinical stage IIB vs I-IIA (odds ratio, 4.64; 95% confidence interval, 2.11-10.23), deep stromal invasion (odds ratio, 10.63; 95% confidence interval, 3.12-36.02), lymph node metastasis (odds ratio, 8.54; 95% confidence interval, 4.15-17.57), corpus uteri invasion (odds ratio, 7.39; 95% confidence interval, 3.69-14.78), and parametrial invasion (odds ratio, 9.72; 95% confidence interval, 4.67-20.22) were significantly related to ovarian metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Ovarian preservation has no effect on prognosis in women with early-stage cervical adenocarcinoma. Risk factors for ovarian metastases were stage IIB, deep cervical stromal invasion, lymph node metastasis, corpus uteri invasion, and parametrial invasion. In women with early-stage cervical adenocarcinoma without these risk factors, ovarian conservation can be considered.

The Safety of Ovarian Preservation in Early-Stage Adenocarcinoma Compared With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Uterine Cervix: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of ovarian metastasis (OM) in adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in early-stage cervical cancer and evaluate the safety of ovarian preservation in early-stage ADC.

Methods

To perform a meta-analysis to compare the incidence of OM between early-stage ADC and SCC, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane for observational studies that compared it with pathological evidence after radical hysterectomy and oophorectomy. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated with a fixed effects model. We also found a few articles evaluating the oncological prognosis of patients with ovarian preservation to perform a systematic review.

Results

A total of 5 studies were included in the meta-analyses. The incidence of OM of patients with early-stage ADC and SCC were 2% and 0.4%, respectively (odds ratio, 5.27; 95% confidence interval, 2.14–13.45). In 1427 patients with ADC or SCC of the cervix FIGO stage (CIS-IIA) who underwent hysterectomy, no ovarian recurrences were observed after unilateral or bilateral ovarian preservation in ADC patients in the follow-up (30–68 months); however, 15 patients with SCC developed pelvic recurrence.

Conclusions

Although the incidence of OM was higher in early-stage ADC than SCC according to ovarian pathology, it might be relatively safe to perform ovarian preservation with early-stage ADC because of low ovarian recurrence rate in short-term follow-ups.

Is Ovarian Preservation Feasible in Early-Stage Adenocarcinoma of the Cervix?

BACKGROUND In cervical adenocarcinoma, surgical treatment involves bilateral oophorectomy, which affects the long-term quality of life. The aim of our study was to access the incidence of ovarian metastasis in early-stage cervical adenocarcinoma and to suggest an algorithm for the triage of these patients to preserve the ovaries. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total 101 patients with cervical adenocarcinoma who had undergone radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and bilateral oophorectomy were included in this study. Data on the clinicopathologic characteristics of the cases were collected and low risk factors for ovarian metastasis in early-stage cervical adenocarcinoma were analyzed. RESULTS The ovary metastasis rate of cervical adenocarcinoma in this study was 4.95%, while it is only 2% in stage IB1. Pathological grade, LSVI, lymph node status, tumor size, depth of stromal invasion, and involvement of the junction of the cervix and the body of the uterus were associated with ovarian metastasis, while LSVI, lymph node status, depth of stromal invasion, and involvement of the junction of the cervix and the body of the uterus were associated with ovarian metastasis in stage IB. Multivariate analysis revealed that LVSI and lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors for ovarian metastasis in all stages of cervical adenocarcinoma, but involvement of the junction of the cervix and the body of the uterus was an independent risk factor for ovarian metastasis in stage IB. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of ovarian metastasis in cervical adenocarcinoma is low. Our study suggests that ovarian preservation is safe and feasible in patients with no risk factors for ovarian metastasis. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Ovarian Preservation in Young Patients With Stage I Cervical Adenocarcinoma: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Study

Objectives

Although a large part of patients with cervical adenocarcinoma are young, oophorectomy is commonly performed in those who receive hysterectomy for fear of ovarian metastasis. The purpose of this study was to examine the safety of ovarian preservation in young women with cervical adenocarcinoma.

Methods

Patients 45 years or younger with stage I cervical adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (1988–2007). The characteristics of the patients with ovarian preservation were compared with those of the women with oophorectomy. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model were used to explore the effects of ovarian preservation on survival.

Results

The study sample consisted of 1639 women, including 1062 women (64.8%) who underwent oophorectomy and 577 women (35.2%) who had ovarian preservation at the time of hysterectomy. Younger age (P< 0.001), recent diagnosis (P< 0.001), low-grade (P< 0.001) and smaller tumor (P< 0.001), white population (P= 0.015), as well as less chance to undergo lymphadenectomy (P< 0.001) and adjuvant radiotherapy (P= 0.041) were associated with ovarian preservation. Ovarian preservation had no effect on either cancer-specific (hazard ratio [HR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50–1.61) or overall (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.49–1.33) survival in the Cox proportional hazards model. When the patients without radiotherapy were separately analyzed, the effect on either cancer-specific (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.44–3.54) or overall (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.35–1.73) survival were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Ovarian preservation may have oncological safety for young women with stage I cervical adenocarcinoma.

Developing an anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion simulator for neurosurgical resident training

BACKGROUND

Surgical simulators are useful in many surgical disciplines to augment residency training. Duty hour restrictions and increasing emphasis on patient safety and attending oversight have changed neurosurgical education from the traditional apprenticeship model. The Congress of Neurological Surgeons Simulation Committee has been developing neurosurgical simulators for the purpose of enhancing resident education and assessing proficiency.

OBJECTIVE

To review the initial experience with an anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) simulator.

METHODS

The first ACDF training module was implemented at the 2012 Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting. The 90-minute curriculum included a written pretest, didactics, a practical pretest on the simulator, hands-on training, a written posttest, a practical posttest, and postcourse feedback. Didactic material covered clinical indications for ACDF, comparison with other cervical procedures, surgical anatomy and approach, principles of arthrodesis and spinal fixation, and complication management. Written pretests and posttests were administered to assess baseline knowledge and evidence of improvement after the module. Qualitative evaluation of individual performance on the practical (simulator) portion was included.

RESULTS

Three neurosurgery residents, 2 senior medical students, and 1 attending neurosurgeon participated in the course. The pretest scores were an average 9.2 (range, 6-13). Posttest scores improved to 11.0 (range, 9-13; P = .03).

CONCLUSION

Initial experience with the ACDF simulator suggests that it may represent a meaningful training module for residents. Simulation will be an important training modality for residents to practice surgical technique and for teachers to assess competency. Further development of an ACDF simulator and didactic curriculum will require additional verification of simulator validity and reliability.

Developing an Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion Simulator for Neurosurgical Resident Training

BACKGROUND:

Surgical simulators are useful in many surgical disciplines to augment residency training. Duty hour restrictions and increasing emphasis on patient safety and attending oversight have changed neurosurgical education from the traditional apprenticeship model. The Congress of Neurological Surgeons Simulation Committee has been developing neurosurgical simulators for the purpose of enhancing resident education and assessing proficiency.

OBJECTIVE:

To review the initial experience with an anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) simulator.

METHODS:

The first ACDF training module was implemented at the 2012 Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting. The 90-minute curriculum included a written pretest, didactics, a practical pretest on the simulator, hands-on training, a written posttest, a practical posttest, and postcourse feedback. Didactic material covered clinical indications for ACDF, comparison with other cervical procedures, surgical anatomy and approach, principles of arthrodesis and spinal fixation, and complication management. Written pretests and posttests were administered to assess baseline knowledge and evidence of improvement after the module. Qualitative evaluation of individual performance on the practical (simulator) portion was included.

RESULTS:

Three neurosurgery residents, 2 senior medical students, and 1 attending neurosurgeon participated in the course. The pretest scores were an average 9.2 (range, 6-13). Posttest scores improved to 11.0 (range, 9-13; P = .03).

CONCLUSION:

Initial experience with the ACDF simulator suggests that it may represent a meaningful training module for residents. Simulation will be an important training modality for residents to practice surgical technique and for teachers to assess competency. Further development of an ACDF simulator and didactic curriculum will require additional verification of simulator validity and reliability.

Changes in prevalence and clinical characteristics of cervical cancer in the People's Republic of China: a study of 10,012 cases from a nationwide working group

PURPOSE

About one-third of the world's total annual new cervical cancer cases are found in the People's Republic of China. We investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of cervical cancer cases in the People's Republic of China over the past decade.

METHOD

A total of 10,012 hospitalized patients with cervical cancer from regions nationwide were enrolled from 2000 to 2009. Demographic and clinical characteristics, therapeutic strategies, and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age at diagnosis of all cervical cancer patients was 44.7 ± 9.5 years, which is 5-10 years younger than mean ages reported before 2000 in the People's Republic of China. The age distribution showed 16.0% of patients were ≤35 years old, 41.7% were 35-45 years old, and 41.7% were >45 years old. Early stage diagnoses were most prevalent: 57.3% were stage I, 33.9% were stage II, and 4.3% were stage III or IV. Most patients (83.9%) were treated with surgery, and only 9.5% had radiotherapy alone. Among 8,405 patients treated with surgery, 68.6% received adjuvant treatments, including chemotherapy (20.9%), radiotherapy (26.0%), and chemoradiotherapy (21.9%). Among stage IA patients, 16.0% were treated with corpus uteri preservation. The proportion of ovarian preservation was 42.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical cancer cases in the People's Republic of China show increasing prevalence in young patients and at early stages. In the past 10 years, surgery has become the dominant treatment and is increasingly combined with adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stages I and II. Conservative surgical approaches are reasonable options for genital organ preservation in selected patients.