Reproductive and Obstetric Outcomes after Fertility-Sparing Treatments for Cervical Cancer: Current Approach and Future Directions

Risks of adverse obstetric outcomes among female survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer in England (TYACSS): a population-based, retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on the risks of obstetric complications among survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer with most previous studies only reporting risks for all types of cancers combined. The aim of this study was to quantify deficits in birth rates and risks of obstetric complications for female survivors of 17 specific types of adolescent and young adult cancer.

METHODS

The Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study (TYACSS)-a retrospective, population-based cohort of 200 945 5-year survivors of cancer diagnosed at age 15-39 years from England and Wales-was linked to the English Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database from April 1, 1997, to March 31, 2022. The cohort included 17 different types of adolescent and young adult cancers. We ascertained 27 specific obstetric complications through HES among 96 947 women in the TYACSS cohort. Observed and expected numbers for births and obstetric complications were compared between the study cohort and the general population of England to identify survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer at a heighted risk of birth deficits and obstetric complications relative to the general population.

FINDINGS

Between April 1, 1997, and March 31, 2022, 21 437 births were observed among 13 886 female survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer from England, which was lower than expected (observed-to-expected ratio: 0·68, 95% CI 0·67-0·69). Other survivors of genitourinary, cervical, and breast cancer had under 50% of expected births. Focusing on more common (observed ≥100) obstetric complications that were at least moderately in excess (observed-to-expected ratio ≥1·25), survivors of cervical cancer were at risk of malpresentation of fetus, obstructed labour, amniotic fluid and membranes disorders, premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, placental disorders including placenta praevia, and antepartum haemorrhage. Survivors of leukaemia were at risk of preterm delivery, obstructed labour, postpartum haemorrhage, and retained placenta. Survivors of all other specific cancers had no more than two obstetric complications that exceeded an observed-to-expected ratio of 1·25 or greater.

INTERPRETATION

Survivors of cervical cancer and leukaemia are at risk of several serious obstetric complications; therefore, any pregnancy should be considered high-risk and would benefit from obstetrician-led antenatal care. Despite observing deficits in birth rates across all 17 different types of adolescent and young adult cancer, we provide reassurance for almost all survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer concerning their risk of almost all obstetric complications. Our results provide evidence for the development of clinical guidelines relating to counselling and surveillance of obstetrical risk for female survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer.

FUNDING

Children with Cancer UK, The Brain Tumour Charity, and Academy of Medical Sciences.

Oncologic and Obstetric Outcomes Following Radical Abdominal Trachelectomy in Non-Low-Risk Early-Stage Cervical Cancers: A 10-Year Austrian Single-Center Experience

Radical trachelectomy allows for fertility preservation in patients with early cervical cancer not qualifying as "low-risk" as defined by ConCerv. This study reports on the 10-year surgical, oncological, and obstetrical experience of patients treated by radical abdominal trachelectomy at an Austrian tertiary care center. A retrospective chart analysis and telephone survey of all patients with FIGO stage IA2-IB2 (2018) cervical cancer treated by radical abdominal trachelectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy between 2013 and 2022 were performed. Radical abdominal trachelectomy was attempted in 29 patients, of whom 3 patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Three cases, including one after neoadjuvant therapy, required conversion to radical hysterectomy due to positive margins; four cases had positive lymph nodes following surgical staging and were referred to primary chemo-radiotherapy. Twenty-two (75.9%) successful abdominal radical trachelectomies preserving fertility were performed. According to final histopathology, 79.3% of tumors would not have met the "low-risk"-criteria. At a median follow-up of 64.5 (25.5-104.0) months, no recurrence was observed. Eight (36.4%) patients attempted to conceive, with a live birth rate of 62.5%. Radical abdominal trachelectomy appears oncologically safe in early-stage cervical cancers that do not fulfill the "low-risk"-criteria. Strict preoperative selection of patients who might qualify for more conservative surgical approaches is strongly recommended.

A predictive model for residual lesions after LEEP surgery in CIN III patients

Background and aims

The residual lesions after Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) contributes to poor prognosis in patients with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 3 (CIN3). The aim of this study is to establish an effective clinical predictive model for residual lesions in CIN3 patients after LEEP.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 436 CIN3 patients who underwent total hysterectomy within 3 months after LEEP. Based on the post-hysterectomy pathologic, the patients were divided into the no residual group and residual group. Clinical parameters were compared between the two groups, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors for residual lesions in CIN3 patients after LEEP. Using R software, a nomogram model was established and its effectiveness was evaluated using calibration plots.

Results

There were 178 cases in the residual group and 258 cases in the no residual group. The two groups had no significant difference in general characteristics (p > 0.05). It was found that Post-LEEP follow-up HPV, Post-LEEP follow-up TCT, and the Gland involvement were independent risk factors for residual lesions in CIN3 patients after LEEP (all p < 0.05). The consistency index (C-index) of the nomogram model for predicting residual lesions was 0.975 (0.962-0.988).

Conclusion

The Post-LEEP follow-up HPV, Post-LEEP follow-up TCT, and Gland involvement are independent risk factors related to residual tissue after LEEP surgery in CIN3 patients. The constructed nomogram can effectively predict the presence of residual tissue after LEEP surgery in CIN3 patients and has good practical value.