Fertility preservation in cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the most common oncological diseases in women of reproductive age. Patients diagnosed with an invasive form of the disease often undergo aggressive surgical treatment involving the removal of the entire uterus, making it impossible to carry a pregnancy in the future.
When you find out your diagnosis, look for a SECOND OPINION! Our specialists will always be at your disposal for a consultation. In certain cases the preservation of the uterus is possible.
Surgical treatment can be performed by conization (partial removal of the cervix) or by trachelectomy (removal of the entire cervix and preservation of the body of the uterus). These surgical procedures are performed under strict indications and require good coordination between the oncologist and the gynecologist.
The cervical cancer diagnosis is most often given after a forceps biopsy or abrasio probatoria (cervical curettage). When preserving your reproductive ability is being considered, a proper staging procedure is essential. It should include an MRI of the pelvis, which can most accurately determine the size and spread of the tumor, In certain cases, additional investigations are needed to define the stage, such as PET/CT.
If the tumor is up to 2 cm in size and there is no evidence of lymph node involvement or distant metastases, fertility-sparing surgery may be offered.
Frequently asked questions and common situations you may run into
I have been diagnosed with cervical cancer at another hospital and don't know if the stage of my disease was correctly defined. How do I find out?
Have no fear, we are here to help. Our oncologists will look at your tests and assess whether everything that needs to be done has been done. If necessary, they will recommend additional imaging or histological tests.
I'm not planning a pregnancy, but I want to keep my ovaries.Is that possible?
In some cases, this is possible, but a definitive answer to this question requires histological specification of the subtype, as well as certain characteristics of the tumor. Do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation!
My doctor said the surgery should be done immediately.I'm afraid consultation can take a long time.
You should not be worried! Cancer patients interested in fertility preservationoptions are given priority at Nadezhda Hospital. Call us and the consultation will take place within 1-2 days.
Is pregnancy after a diagnosis of cervical cancer somehow different?
Pregnancy after provision of conization or trachelectomy are considered high-risk. Their follow-up should be done in clinical centers that have experience with such patients. Do not hesitate to contact us. We have been successful with dozens of pregnancies after radical cervical removal.
Remember that...
A cervical cancer diagnosis needs a second opinion.
We have made it clear above that this is a multidisciplinary process, and therefore we recommend to always look for a second opinion Many pre-cancerous conditions are misinterpreted as cancer, which leads to unnecessary radicalism in surgeries.
In the initial stages of the disease, the uterus can be saved!
If the diagnosis is confirmed, remember that definition of the disease stage is very important before discussing the extent of your surgery.
In conclusion – when you are diagnosed with this condition, before saying to yourself “This is the end of my reproductive life!”, get in touch with us, and this might mean you get to have a new beginning!
Fertility preservation options
In modern practice, two methods of fertility-sparing surgery can be applied in case of cervical cancer:
| Fertility preservation options | Frequency of application and success rate of the approach | |
| Cervical conization | ★★★ | |
| Trachelectomy | ★★ |
★★★ - most commonly used approach, highest success rate ★★ - less frequently used approach, lower success rate ★ - rarely used approach
