Background: Fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) is a viable option for young women with early-stage cervical cancer (ECC); however, certain risk factors may necessitate additional treatments and impact fertility. This review examines the prevalence of these risk factors and available treatment options.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted of studies including patients with ECC (IA1 with LVSI, IA2, IB1 (FIGO 2009)) who underwent FSS.
Results: Sixty-four articles, comprising a total of 4118 women planned for FSS, were included. High- or intermediate-risk histologic features were found in 638 (15.5%) women: 5.1% had positive lymph node(s), 4.1% had positive resection margins, 0.3% had parametrial involvement, 1.0% had unspecified high-risk features, and 5.1% had intermediate-risk histology (primarily based on the Sedlis criteria). Adjuvant treatment impaired fertility in all women with adjuvant hysterectomy and/or (chemo)radiation (58.7%). Adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 1351 (32.8%) patients, which may reduce fertility.
Conclusions: Fertility preservation could be achieved in most women; but high- or intermediate-risk factors necessitate more extensive surgery or radiotherapy leading to infertility. Adjuvant chemotherapy could be an alternative treatment option considering its effectiveness, safety and higher change in fertility preservation. The low incidence of parametrial involvement justifies waiving parametrectomy in tumors < 2 cm.
Keywords: cervical cancer; fertility-sparing surgery; high risk; intermediate risk; lymph node metastases; parametrial involvement; positive surgical margin.