Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes After Conservative Management of Adenocarcinoma In Situ of the Cervix

J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2021 Oct 1;25(4):270-275. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000621.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of women who underwent conservative management of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS).

Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with AIS at a single tertiary institution between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 2019. We collected demographic data, AIS-specific information, and fertility outcomes and performed bivariate analyses to compare demographic characteristics and AIS-specific information between patients with and without hysterectomy after diagnosis. Patients with conservative management who achieved pregnancy were described.

Results: Among 87 patients with AIS, 38 (44%) underwent a hysterectomy within 6 months of diagnosis and 49 (56%) underwent conservative management. Six of 19 patients (32%) had residual AIS despite undergoing definitive management after an excisional procedure with negative margins and negative endocervical curettage (ECC). Nine of 19 patients (47%) had residual AIS after an excisional procedure with positive margins and/or a positive ECC. Patients who opted for conservative management were younger (median = 31.6 [interquartile range = 27.4-34.9] vs 38.5 y [32.3-44.8 y], p < .001) and nulligravid. Among patients with conservative management, there were 15 pregnancies and 14 live births (29%). Seven were preterm, although 2 were for medical indications.

Conclusions: Residual AIS in patients with negative margins and ECC leading to definitive hysterectomy (32%) and the rate of preterm birth (36%) were higher than previous reports and nationally reported rates. However, only 1 patient had a preterm birth before 34 weeks. These findings reflect important information for counseling patients who elect for conservative management of AIS.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma in Situ*
  • Adenocarcinoma* / surgery
  • Carcinoma in Situ* / surgery
  • Cervix Uteri
  • Conization
  • Conservative Treatment
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Premature Birth*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / surgery