Prevalence of lymph nodes in the parametrium of radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT) specimen

Fertility-Sparing Treatment for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer ≥ 2 cm: Can One Still Effectively Become a Mother? A Systematic Review of Fertility Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Fertility-sparing treatments (FSTs) have played a crucial role in the management of early-stage cervical cancer (ECC); however, there is currently no standard of care for women with ECC ≥ 2 cm who wish to preserve their fertility. The current orientation of the scientific community comprises upfront surgical techniques and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by minor surgery such us conization. However these approaches are not standardized. This systematic review aimed to collect the evidence in the literature regarding the obstetric outcomes of the different techniques for applying FSTs in ECC ≥ 2 cm.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in September 2022 using the Pubmed and Scopus databases, from the date of the first publication. We included all studies containing data regarding pregnancy, birth, and preterm rates.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and 352 patients were analyzed regarding fertility outcomes. Surgery-based FST showed the pregnancy rate (22%), birth rate (11%), and preterm rate (10%). Papers regarding FST using the NACT approach showed a pregnancy rate of 44%, with a birth rate of 45% in patients who managed to get pregnant. The preterm rate amounted to 44%, and pregnancy rates and birth rates were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Fertility preservation in patients with ECC > 2 cm is challenging. The endpoint for evaluating the best treatment should include oncological and fertility outcomes together. From this prospective, NACT followed by less radical surgery could be a reasonable compromise.

Separate lateral parametrial lymph node dissection improves detection rate of parametrial lymph node metastasis in early-stage cervical cancer: 10-year clinical evaluation in a single center in China

Objective

To investigate the clinical significance of separate lateral parametrial lymph node dissection (LPLND) in improving parametrial lymph node (PLN) and its metastasis detection rate during radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.

Methods

From July 2007 to August 2017, 2,695 patients with cervical cancer in stage IB1−IIA2 underwent radical hysterectomy were included. Of these patients, 368 underwent separate dissection of PLNs using the LPLND method, and 2,327 patients underwent conventional radical hysterectomy (CRH). We compared the surgical parameters, PLN detection rate and PLN metastasis rate between the two groups.

Results

Compared with CRH group, the rate of laparoscopic surgery was higher (60.3% vs. 15.9%, P<0.001), and the blood transfusion rate was lower (19.0%vs. 29.0%, P<0.001) in the LPLND group. PLNs were detected in 356 cases (96.7%) in the LPLND group, and 270 cases (11.6%) in the CRH group (P<0.001), respectively. The number of PLNs detected in the LPLND group was higher than that in the CRH group (median 3vs. 1, P<0.001). The PLN metastases were detected in 25 cases (6.8%) in the LPLND group, and 18 cases (0.8%) in the CRH group (P<0.001), respectively. In multivariable analysis, LPLND is an independent factor not only for PLN detection [odds ratio (OR)=228.999, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 124.661−420.664; P<0.001], but also for PLN metastasis identification (OR=10.867, 95% CI: 5.381−21.946; P<0.001).

Conclusions

LPLND is feasible and safe. The surgical method significantly improves the detection rate of PLN and avoids omission of PLN metastasis during radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.

[Fertility sparing treatment in women affected by cervical cancer larger than 2cm]

OBJECTIVE

We report our experience on fertility sparing treatment in young women affected by cervical cancer of more than 2cm.

METHODS

Between July 2012 and February 2014, five patients presenting cervical tumors larger than 2cm (IB1>2cm) (23-35) and wishing to preserve fertility have been treated at our institution. Laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed for all patients. When lymph nodes were free of disease, patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical conservative treatment.

RESULTS

Four patients underwent a cisplatin based neoadjuvant chemotherapy before conservative surgery: radical trachelectomy or simple trachelectomy. One patient with nodal involvement underwent a 3cycle chemotherapy followed by concurrent radiochemotherapy. Hematologic toxicity grade 3 was observed in one patient leading to a change of chemotherapy. Two patients showed complete disappearance of tumor and two a partial response to neoadjuvant treatment. After a mean follow up of 20.5months (14-33), no relapse was observed. To date, no pregnancy was obtained.

CONCLUSION

Lymph node staging followed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical trachelectomy seems to be a promising treatment scheme for patients with cervical tumors IB1>2cm pN0 seeking parenthood.

Bulky Early-Stage Cervical Cancer (2-4 cm Lesions): Upfront Radical Trachelectomy or Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Fertility-Preserving Surgery

Abstract

Radical trachelectomy is now recognized as a valid treatment option for young women with early-stage cervical cancer with lesions measuring less than 2 cm. However, for women with bulky lesions measuring greater than 2cm, few data are available in the literature to guide management. There are currently 2 options available: either upfront radical trachelectomy or neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by fertility-preserving surgery. Overall, both options offer very good oncologic outcome; however, the rate of fertility preservation and obstetrical outcome seem superior after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Advantages and disadvantages of both options are discussed and a thorough literature review is provided. Issues to be further studied are also outlined.

Cervical conization and sentinel lymph node mapping in the treatment of stage I cervical cancer: is less enough?

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of cervical conization and sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping as a fertility-sparing strategy to treat stage I cervical cancer and to estimate the tumor margin status needed to achieve no residual carcinoma in the cervix.

METHODS

We identified all patients who desired fertility preservation and underwent SLN mapping with cervical conization for stage I cervical cancer from September 2005 to August 2012. Relevant demographic, clinical, and pathologic information was collected.

RESULTS

Ten patients were identified. Median age was 28 years (range, 18-36 years). None of the patients had a grossly visible tumor. The initial diagnosis of invasive carcinoma was made either on a loop electrosurgical excision procedure or cone biopsy. All patients underwent preoperative radiologic evaluation (magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography-computed tomography). None of the patients had evidence of gross tumor or suspicion of lymph node metastasis on imaging. Stage distribution included 7 (70%) patients with stage IA1 cervical cancer with lymphovascular invasion and 3 (30%) patients with microscopic IB1. Histologic diagnosis included 8 (80%) patients with squamous cell carcinoma, 1 (10%) patient with adenocarcinoma, and 1 (10%) patient with clear cell carcinoma. Nine patients underwent repeat cervical conization with SLN mapping, and 1 patient underwent postconization cervical biopsies and SLN mapping. None of the patients had residual tumor identified on the final specimen. The median distance from the invasive carcinoma to the endocervical margin was 2.25 mm, and the distance from the invasive carcinoma to the ectocervical margin was 1.9 mm. All collected lymph nodes were negative for metastasis. After a median follow-up of 17 months (range, 1-83 months), none of the patients' conditions were diagnosed with recurrent disease and 3 (30%) patients achieved pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical conization and SLN mapping seems to be an acceptable treatment strategy for selected patients with small-volume stage I cervical cancer. Tumor clearance of 2 mm and above seems to correlate well with no residual on repeat conization. A larger sample size and longer follow-up is needed to establish the long-term outcomes of this procedure.

Nerve-Sparing Radical Abdominal Trachelectomy Versus Nerve-Sparing Radical Hysterectomy in Early-Stage (FIGO IA2-IB) Cervical Cancer: A Comparative Study on Feasibility and Outcome

Objectives

Standard treatment in early-stage cervical cancer is a radical hysterectomy (RH) with pelvic lymphadenectomy. In women who wish to preserve fertility radical vaginal trachelectomy has been proposed; however, this is not feasible in larger tumors, and nerve-sparing surgery is not possible. Nerve-sparing radical abdominal trachelectomy (NSRAT) overcomes these disadvantages.

Methods

Case-control study of women with early-stage cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics IA2-IB) submitted to NSRAT from 2000 until 2011. Women submitted to nerve-sparing RH with early-stage cervical cancer were included as control subjects.

Results

Twenty-eight patients and 77 control subjects were included. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 3 women before NSRAT because the linear extension was or exceeded 40 mm. Local recurrence rate was 3.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.00–10.6) in the NSRAT group compared with 7.8% (95% CI, 1.7–13.9) in the control group (P = 0.44). No significant difference was found between both groups regarding disease-free survival and survival. The overall pregnancy rate was 52.9% (95% CI, 28.7%–77.2%). The mean follow-up was 47.3 months (range, 6–122 months) for NSRAT and 51.8 months (11–129.6 months) for nerve-sparing RH.

Conclusions

Nerve-sparing radical abdominal trachelectomy seems safe and effective in women with early-stage cervical cancer who wish to preserve fertility. Respective women should be informed about this treatment option, especially if the tumor is too large for radical vaginal trachelectomy.

Radical Vaginal Trachelectomy After Laparoscopic Staging and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Women With Early-Stage Cervical Cancer Over 2 cm: Oncologic, Fertility, and Neonatal Outcome in a Series of 20 Patients

Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess oncologic and fertility outcome of treatment in patients with cervical cancer of more than 2 cm seeking parenthood.

Methods

The regimen consisted of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy as a staging procedure to confirm no lymph node metastases before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) consisting of 2 or 3 cycles of paclitaxel/ifosfamide/cisplatin followed by radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT). Oncologic and fertility outcome was evaluated prospectively.

Results

Twenty women were enrolled up to now. The mean age was 32 years (range, 26–41 years), and mean tumor size was 3 cm (range, 2.1–5.0 cm). Lymphadenectomy was performed before NACT without complications. During NACT, hematologic toxicity grade 3 was observed in 2 of 20 patients, and renal toxicity grade 3 in 1 of 20 patients. Radical vaginal trachelectomy was performed in 18 women until now with 2 intraoperative complications (ureter injury and injury of internal iliac vein). There were no severe postoperative or long-term complications. Complete pathologic remission was found in 9 of 18 patients. In 2 of 18 patients, chemoradiation was recommended because of insufficient pathologic response in the RVT specimen. After a mean follow-up of 23 months (range, 1–88 months), 1 relapse was observed. After RVT, 7 women tried to conceive until now. Seven pregnancies occurred in 5 women. Four children were born, 2 of whom were premature (31 weeks 2 days and 33 weeks 4 days of gestation); 1 pregnancy is ongoing.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy followed by NACT and RVT in pN0 patients with cervical cancer of more than 2 cm seems to be an oncologically safe procedure with promising fertility outcomes.

Expanding the indications for radical trachelectomy: a report on 29 patients with stage IB1 tumors measuring 2 to 4 centimeters

OBJECTIVES

Radical trachelectomy has enabled select women with stage I cervical cancer to maintain fertility after treatment. Tumor size greater than 2 cm has been considered a contraindication, and those patients denied trachelectomy. We report our trachelectomy experience with tumors measuring 2 to 4 cm.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients planned for fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy. Largest tumor dimension was determined by physical examination, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, or pathologic evaluation. No patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine (26%) of 110 patients had stage IB1 disease with tumors 2 to 4 cm. Median age was 31 years (range, 22-40 years), and 83% were nulliparous. Thirteen patients (45%) had squamous cell carcinoma, 12 patients (41%) had adenocarcinoma, and 4 patients (14%) had adenosquamous carcinoma. Thirteen (45%) of 29 patients had positive pelvic nodes. All para-aortic nodes were negative. Owing to intraoperative frozen section, 13 patients (45%) underwent immediate hysterectomy and 1 patient (3%) definitive chemoradiation. Owing to high-risk features on final pathology, 6 patients (21%) who had retained their uterus received chemoradiation. Nine patients (31%) underwent a fertility-sparing procedure. At a median follow-up of 44 months (range, 1-90 months), there was one recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Expanding radical trachelectomy inclusion criteria to women with 2- to 4-cm tumors allows for a fertility-sparing procedure in 30% of patients who would otherwise have been denied the option, with no compromise in oncologic outcome.

Less radical surgery for patient with early-stage cervical cancer

Introduction

Surgery in cervical cancer should be used with intention of cure. Radical abdominal trachelectomy is a feasible operation for selected patients with stage Iα-1β cervical cancer which fertility can be preserved.

Case Report

A 30-years-old woman with squamous cell cervical cancer stage (1 A II) diagnosed at September 2011 expressed a wish for fertility-sparing treatment. Radical abdominal hysterectomy and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy were performed which showed no evidence of lymphatic metastasis. Subsequently, at last follow-up (5 months post-surgery), good oncologic outcomes were found after this procedure. This was the first case of fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy procedures performed at our institution.

Conclusions

Trachelectomy represents a valuable conservative surgical approach for early stage invasive cervical cancer.

Simple Vaginal Trachelectomy in Early-Stage Low-Risk Cervical Cancer: A Pilot Study of 16 Cases and Review of the Literature

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of simple vaginal trachelectomy and node assessment in patients with low-risk early-stage cervical cancer (<2 cm).

Methods

From May 2007 to November 2012, 16 women with low-risk small-volume cervical cancer underwent a simple vaginal trachelectomy preceded by laparoscopic sentinel node mapping plus or minus pelvic node dissection. Data were collected prospectively in a computerized database. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meyer estimate were used for analysis.

Results

Patients’ median age was 30 years and 12 (75%) were nulliparous. Six had a diagnostic cone, 6 had a loop electrocautery excision procedure, 3 had cervical biopsies, and 1 had polyp excision. All patients underwent a preoperative pelvic magnetic resonance imaging. Four patients had stage IA1 with lymph vascular space invasion (LSVI), 6 IA2, and 6 IB1. Ten (62.5%) had squamous lesions, 7 had adenocarcinoma. LVSI was present in 4 cases, suspicious in 2, and absent in 10. There were 2 surgical complications: a trocar site hematoma and a vaginal laceration. The median OR time was 150 minutes (range, 120–180 minutes) and median blood loss was 50 mL (range, 50–150 mL). On final pathology, lymph nodes were negative in all patients. Thirteen (81%) patients had either no residual disease (6) or residual dysplasia only (7) in the trachelectomy specimen. Margins were negative in all cases. With a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 1–65 months), there have been no recurrences. The recurrence-free survival at 24 months is 100%. Eight patients have conceived: 3 were term deliveries and 4 are ongoing.

Conclusions

Simple trachelectomy and nodes seems to be a safe alternative in well-selected patients with early-stage low-risk cervical cancer. Our data will need to be confirmed in larger series.

Aspects of Therapy for Cervical Cancer in Germany 2012 - Results from a Survey of German Gynaecological Hospitals

Introduction: In spite of the existence of guidelines and international recommendations, many aspects in the diagnosis, therapy and follow-up of patients with cervical cancer are not based on validated data. A broad spectrum of different opinions and procedures concerning the therapy for patients with cervical cancer is under controversial discussion by the responsible gynaecologists in German hospitals. Methods: The present study is intended to picture the current treatment situation for cervical cancer in Germany. For this purpose a specially developed questionnaire with questions divided into 19 subsections was sent to all 688 gynaecological hospitals in Germany. Results: The response rate to the questionnaire was 34 %. 91 % of the hospitals treated between 0 and 25 patients with cervical cancer per year. 7.5 % treated between 26 and 50 and 1.4 % of the hospitals more than 50 patients per year. The bimanual examination was the most frequently used staging method (98 %); PET-CT was the least used staging method (2.3 %). Interestingly 48 % of the hospitals used surgical staging. The great majority of the hospitals (71 %) used abdominal radical hysterectomy (Wertheim-Meigs operation) to treat their patients. TMMR via laparotomy was used by 13 %. 16 % of the hospitals performed laparoscopic or robot-assisted radical hysterectomies. The sentinel concept was hardly used even in the early stages. It must be emphasised that in 74 % of the hospitals radical hysterectomies were performed even in cases with positive pelvic lymph nodes and in 43 % also in cases with positive paraaortic lymph nodes. The therapy of choice for FIGO IIB cancers is primary radiochemotherapy (RCTX) in 21 % of the hospitals; operative staging followed by radiochemotherapy in 24 % and treatment by radical hysterectomy followed by adjuvant RCTX was employed in this situation by 46 % of the hospitals. In 15-97 % of the hospitals for node-negative and in sano resected patients in stage pT1B1/1B2 after radical hysterectomy, an adjuvant RCTX is recommended when further risk factors exist (LVSI, tumour > 4 cm, age < 40 years, adenocarcinoma, S3). Conclusion: A broad spectrum of differing staging and therapy concepts is in use for patients with cervical cancer in Germany. A standardisation of therapy is needed. An update of national guidelines could help to achieve more transparency and a standardisation of treatment for patients with cervical cancer.

Fertility-preserving surgery in patients with early stage cervical carcinoma

Fertility preservation is an important issue for patients in reproductive age with early stage cervical cancer. In view of recent developments, our purpose was to review and discuss available surgical alternatives. A literature search was conducted using PUBMED, including papers between 1980 and December 2011. In patients with stage IA1 cervical cancer, conization is a valid alternative. Patients with stage IA2-IB1 disease can be conservatively treated by radical trachelectomy. This is as well-established conservative approach and appears to be safe and effective in allowing a high chance of conception. Prematurity is the most serious issue in pregnancies following trachelectomy. Less invasive options such as simple trachelectomy or conization seem to be feasible for stages IA2-IB1, but more and better evidence is needed. Neoadjuvant therapy might allow conservative surgery to be performed also in patients with more extensive lesions. Ovarian transposition is important when adjuvant radiation is needed. In conclusion, available literature shows that there are interesting fertility-sparing treatment alternatives to the “golden standard” for the management of early cervical cancer in young women.

Fertility-sparing surgery for early cervical cancer-approach to less radical surgery

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether certain patients with early-stage cervical cancer are candidates for less radical surgery when considering fertility-sparing surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Two gynecologic cancer centers (St Thomas' Hospital, London; and West Kent Gynaecological Cancer Centre, Maidstone).

POPULATION

Women with early-stage cervical cancer (n = 66) undergoing fertility-sparing surgery, either simple (SVT) or radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT).

METHODS

Prospective clinical data collection and review of patient notes, pathology and radiology data, and pregnancy outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative complications, surgical specimen histologic analysis, follow-up data, and obstetric outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 66 women underwent either SVT (n = 15) or RVT (n = 51), with pelvic lymphadenectomy, for stage IA2 or IB1 cervical cancer. There was no residual disease in the SVT specimen in 53% versus 29% after RVT. Clear surgical margins in 100% of SVT specimens with residual disease versus 94% after RVT. Two patients had positive lymph nodes after RVT; one of these declined adjuvant treatment until after egg harvesting and subsequently died of disease (1.5%). Median follow-up was 96 months (range, 12-120 months). One patient had a mid vaginal recurrence (1.5%). Twenty-four women have tried to conceive to date, with 14 women having 17 live births. Live birth pregnancy rate was 70.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to select patients for a less radical fertility-sparing procedure through identification of measurable low-risk factors and thus reduce the morbidity caused by conventional RVT. The selection criteria should be stringent and applied within the setting of a cancer center.