For Young Women with Gynecologic Cancer, Fertility Preservation Is a Hallmark of Successful Treatment

Treatment of gynecologic cancer often involves surgical removal of both ovaries and the uterus, resulting in sterility. For some young women, treatment can be modified to preserve the uterus and one ovary, resulting in both low risk for cancer recurrence and preservation of fertility.

More than 40% of women with cervical cancer are younger than 45. Ideal candidates for fertility-sparing treatment have low-risk histology (squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma), tumor size <2 cm, no nodal metastases, and no deep invasion. Carefully selected women can be treated with cervical conization or removal, with preservation of the uterine corpus and ovaries. The resultant cervical stenosis can be managed with coordinated care…