Fertility results after ovarian transposition for pelvic malignancies treated by external irradiation or brachytherapy

Techniques and endocrine-reproductive outcomes of ovarian transposition prior to pelvic radiotherapy in both gynecologic and non-gynecologic cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Premature ovarian failure may be a consequence of radiotherapy administered for the treatment of various female oncologic diseases. Before radiotherapy, fertility may be preserved through ovarian transposition (OT), which consists of moving the ovaries away from the radiation field.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain all types of surgical techniques employed for OT, outline the endocrine and reproductive outcomes of each one, and discover if one works better than the others.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The authors performed a systematic search of the English literature looking for all studies related to OT before radiotherapy published up to June 2023. Nine studies were included.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The eligible studies were assessed based on the presence of a description of the surgical technique employed for OT before pelvic radiotherapy and a report of the endocrine and reproductive outcomes.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were used to compare endocrine and reproductive outcomes The χ2 test was employed for the statistical analysis and a P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 323 female patients aged between 7 and 51 years-198 (61.3%) with non-gynecologic cancer and 125 (38.7%) with gynecologic cancer-underwent OT, either bilateral (221, 68.4%) or unilateral (102, 31.6%), before radiotherapy. Essentially, two types of OT were employed: lateral and medial. A total of 71 (22%) patients underwent medial OT and 252 (78%) patients (127 with non-gynecologic tumors and 125 with gynecologic tumors) had a lateral OT. The latter was used in a similar percentage of cases for gynecologic (50.4%) and non-gynecologic (49.6%) tumors, whereas the medial approach was performed only for non-gynecologic cancers (Hodgkin's lymphoma). The difference between medial OT and lateral OT was not significant regarding the preservation of endocrine function (OR 0.65, P = 0.120). However, midline OT worked better in terms of reproductive outcomes. In fact, the percentage of patients with pregnancy (49.2%) and live births (45%) associated with medial OT was significantly higher than that associated with lateral OT, 6.5% and 13.4%, respectively, and the difference between such data was statistically significant (OR 7.04, P = 0.001 and OR 5.29, P = 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Ovarian transposition is an important method to preserve fertility before radiotherapy, considering the worldwide ongoing use of this treatment for various cancers arising in young women. The surgical method depends on the type of disease, but OT-especially medial OT when feasible-is effective in terms of ovarian function preservation and reproductive outcomes.

Pregnancy after sugery and brachytherapy for vaginal cancer

Introduction

Primary vaginal cancer is infrequent, corresponding to 1-2% of all female genital tract cancer diagnoses.Treatment for vaginal cancer varies depending on tumor histology, size, location and staging, and may include one or more of the following: surgical excision, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. All treatments negatively affect fertility/pregnancy outcomes.Pelvic radiation therapy, even in doses < 2 Gy, may extinguish up to 50% of immature oocytes. In addition, radiotherapy may cause modifications in cervical length, loss of uterine junctional zone anatomy and lead to myometrial atrophy and fibrosis, increasing the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

Case report of a patient who carried a pregnancy to term after surgery and brachytherapy for vaginal cancer.

Results

A 28 year-old woman, presented with a 3 cm right midvagina wall tumor, diagnosed as grade 2, vaginal squamous cell carcinoma - FIGO 2009, stage IB. Computed tomography showed no evidence of lymph node involvement or distant metastasis. The patient underwent surgery followed by 4 fractions of vaginal brachytherapy, once a week, with a dose of 6 Gy at a 5 mm depth, amounting to a total dose of 24 Gy.One year and 9 months after treatment, the patient gave birth to a healthy child at 39 weeks pregnancy. A C-section was needed due functional dystocia during labor.

Conclusion

This case report recounts a successful pregnancy carried to term after surgery and brachytherapy for squamous cell vaginal cancer.

Laparoscopic ovarian transposition prior to pelvic radiation in young women with anorectal malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence

AIM

Young women undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for pelvic malignancies are at risk of developing premature ovarian insufficiency. Ovarian transposition (OT) aims to preserve ovarian function in these patients. However, its role in anorectal malignancy has yet to be firmly established. The aim of this review was to determine the effectiveness of laparoscopic OT in preserving ovarian function in premenopausal women undergoing neoadjuvant pelvic RT for anorectal malignancies.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL were systematically searched from inception through to May 2022. Articles were included if they evaluated ovarian function after OT in women with anorectal malignancies undergoing pelvic RT. The primary outcome was ovarian function preservation. The secondary outcome was 30-day postoperative morbidity following OT.

RESULTS

From 207 citations, 10 studies with 133 patients with rectal or anal cancer who underwent OT prior to RT were included. Meta-analysis of pooled proportions of preserved ovarian function demonstrated an incidence of 66.9% (95% CI 55.0-79.0%, I2  = 43%). The 30-day postoperative morbidity rate was 1.2% (n = 1). There was heterogeneity in interventions and outcome reporting.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic OT in premenopausal patients undergoing pelvic radiation for anorectal malignancies might be an effective technique at reducing ovarian exposure to RT. The meta-analyses must be interpreted within the context of clinical heterogeneity of the included studies. Further studies are required to fully investigate the outcomes of OT in patients undergoing pelvic radiation for anorectal malignancies.

Ovarian Reserve Disorders, Can We Prevent Them? A Review

The ovarian reserve is finite and begins declining from its peak at mid-gestation until only residual follicles remain as women approach menopause. Reduced ovarian reserve, or its extreme form, premature ovarian insufficiency, stems from multiple factors, including developmental, genetic, environmental exposures, autoimmune disease, or medical/surgical treatment. In many cases, the cause remains unknown and resulting infertility is not ultimately addressed by assisted reproductive technologies. Deciphering the mechanisms that underlie disorders of ovarian reserve could improve the outcomes for patients struggling with infertility, but these disorders are diverse and can be categorized in multiple ways. In this review, we will explore the topic from a perspective that emphasizes the prevention or mitigation of ovarian damage. The most desirable mode of fertoprotection is primary prevention (intervening before ablative influence occurs), as identifying toxic influences and deciphering the mechanisms by which they exert their effect can reduce or eliminate exposure and damage. Secondary prevention in the form of screening is not recommended broadly. Nevertheless, in some instances where a known genetic background exists in discrete families, screening is advised. As part of prenatal care, screening panels include some genetic diseases that can lead to infertility or subfertility. In these patients, early diagnosis could enable fertility preservation or changes in family-building plans. Finally, Tertiary Prevention (managing disease post-diagnosis) is critical. Reduced ovarian reserve has a major influence on physiology beyond fertility, including delayed/absent puberty or premature menopause. In these instances, proper diagnosis and medical therapy can reduce adverse effects. Here, we elaborate on these modes of prevention as well as proposed mechanisms that underlie ovarian reserve disorders.

The role of oophoropexy in patients with gynecological cancer who need radiation therapy

Pelvic radiotherapy is an essential component of cancer therapy for patients with cervical and other gynecological malignancies. The ovaries are particularly radiosensitive, and even low radiotherapy doses may result in impaired or complete loss of ovarian function, causing hormonal disturbances and infertility. Recent advances in both surgery and radiotherapy have facilitated the ability of some patients to maintain ovarian function through ovarian transposition and careful radiotherapy planning. Multidisciplinary discussions should be undertaken to consider which candidates are appropriate for transposition. Generally, patients under age 35 should be considered due to ovarian reserve, likelihood of oophoropexy success, and radioresistance of ovaries. Those patients with small squamous cell tumors, minimal extra-uterine extension, and no lymphovascular invasion or lymph node involvement are ideal candidates to minimize risk of ovarian metastasis. Patients should be assessed and counseled about the risks of ovarian metastasis and the likelihood of successful ovarian preservation before undergoing oophoropexy and starting treatment. Oophoropexy should be bilateral if possible, and ovaries should be placed superior and lateral to the radiotherapy field. Studies limiting the mean ovarian dose to less than 2–3 Gray have demonstrated excellent preservation of ovarian function. Intensity modulated radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy techniques have the potential to further minimize the dose to the ovary with excellent outcomes. The addition of brachytherapy to the treatment regimen will probably cause minimal risk to transposed ovaries. Oophoropexy before radiotherapy may preserve the hormonal function of ovaries for a duration, and fertility might be possible through surrogate pregnancy. Successful ovarian transposition has the potential to improve the overall health and wellbeing, reproductive options, and potentially quality of life in patients with cervical and other gynecological cancers.

Molecular Mechanism and Prevention Strategy of Chemotherapy- and Radiotherapy-Induced Ovarian Damage

Fertility preservation is an emerging discipline, which is of substantial clinical value in the care of young patients with cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation may induce ovarian damage in prepubertal girls and young women. Although many studies have explored the mechanisms implicated in ovarian toxicity during cancer treatment, its molecular pathophysiology is not fully understood. Chemotherapy may accelerate follicular apoptosis and follicle reservoir utilization and damage the ovarian stroma via multiple molecular reactions. Oxidative stress and the radiosensitivity of oocytes are the main causes of gonadal damage after radiation treatment. Fertility preservation options can be differentiated by patient age, desire for conception, treatment regimen, socioeconomic status, and treatment duration. This review will help highlight the importance of multidisciplinary oncofertility strategies for providing high-quality care to young female cancer patients.

Fertility preservation for female patients with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer: recommendations from the PanCareLIFE Consortium and the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group

Female patients with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer are at increased risk for fertility impairment when treatment adversely affects the function of reproductive organs. Patients and their families desire biological children but substantial variations in clinical practice guidelines reduce consistent and timely implementation of effective interventions for fertility preservation across institutions. As part of the PanCareLIFE Consortium, and in collaboration with the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group, we reviewed the current literature and developed a clinical practice guideline for fertility preservation in female patients who were diagnosed with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer at age 25 years or younger, including guidance on risk assessment and available methods for fertility preservation. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was used to grade the available evidence and to form the recommendations. This clinical practice guideline leverages existing evidence and international expertise to develop transparent recommendations that are easy to use to facilitate the care of female patients with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer who are at high risk for fertility impairment. A complete review of the existing evidence, including a quality assessment, transparent reporting of the guideline panel's decisions, and achievement of global interdisciplinary consensus, is an important result of this intensive collaboration.

Laparoscopic Ovarian Transposition in Rectal Cancer: More than Just Oncological Outcomes

Locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy which down stages tumor and improves complete resection rates thus reducing local recurrences. Pelvic radiotherapy improves oncological outcomes; however, it is associated with ovarian irradiation and premature menopause. This has a consequence to fertility and hormone preservation in young women diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer. Laparoscopic ovarian transposition is an established method to preserve ovarian function. This review discusses the technique, indications, and limitations of laparoscopic ovarian transposition in young women requiring pelvic radiotherapy.

Fertility preservation in female cancer patients: current knowledge and future perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Protecting fertility in the presence of cancer has become highly significant, as the desire to give birth to a child is increasingly postponed to later in life, and long-term survival with cancer has increased. A variety of fertility-preserving methods have been developed.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

To find them, we performed a literature search in Medline using the key words "female fertility preservation in cancer" in December 2017. A total of 2381 different publications were found.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

After screening the abstracts 78 publications in English, French, or German language had been assessed as relevant (17 dealing with medical approaches, six with surgical approaches, 15 with oocyte cryopreservation, 11 with ovarian tissue cryopreservation and 29 were review articles). In general, there are medical (non-surgical) and surgical approaches. Medical approaches comprise administration of GnRH-analogues during gonad toxic oncologic treatment, and cryopreservation of oocytes after ovarian stimulation. Surgical approaches comprise traditional methods of organ-saving surgery and ovarian transposition outside of the radiation portal as well as ovary cryopreservation as standard.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to inquire about a prospective desire to have children with premenopausal women with cancer and comprehensively explain the fertility conserving methods available. Every premenopausal woman with cancer should be counseled about the methods of fertility protection currently available at a multiprofessional center.

Ovarian effects of radiation and cytotoxic chemotherapy damage

Oncologic therapy including chemotherapy and radiation can have a significant impact on ovarian function for young women and girls. Poor health outcomes and loss of fertility are major considerations. The effect of radiation and chemotherapy on ovarian function varies depending on patient age, therapy type and dosage, and cancer type. Surgical and medical interventions are available to reduce the morbidity of premature ovarian failure associated with cancer-directed therapy. Fertility preservation is an important consideration, and several options are available for it; therefore, early consultation with a reproductive or oncofertility specialist is an essential part of oncologic care in young women or girls. This chapter will focus on the effects of radiation and chemotherapy on ovarian function and strategies to improve the reproductive care in women with cancer.

Fertility preservation in post-pubescent female cancer patients: A practical guideline for clinicians

Increasing accessibility of fertility preservation (FP) options has permitted women to retain fertility following anticancer therapies. Several published guidelines have made recommendations for FP however their implementation into practice is currently unknown. In this review, we aim to provide oncology clinicians practical information about FP options for post-pubescent female cancer patients and recommendations for care delivery in order to answer preliminary questions and help triage whether FP referral is appropriate. Herein, we present a resource for oncology providers to guide them with FP discussions. Key points that are discussed in this critical review include: i) All cancer patients beginning a new plan of care should be informed of potential fertility risk. ii) If a woman requests further information on FP interventions, referral to a FP clinic should be made. iii) Given the evolving technologies in this area, patients should be informed of those which are proven and unproven, with oocyte and embryo preservation recognized as standard practice. iv) Random start (independent of menstrual cycle day) techniques are available to minimize oncologic treatment delays. v) Specific protocols for ovarian stimulation may be center-specific. vi) There is unlikely an increased cancer recurrence risk as a result of stimulation protocols in women with hormone-sensitive cancers. vii) Lastly, given the absence of consensus in the literature, routine use of GnRH analogs is not recommended for all cancer patients, however may be considered in select cases, such as high-risk women in whom definitive FP is not possible or feasible.

Fertility Preservation and Sexual Health After Cancer Therapy

Recent developments in cancer diagnostics and treatments have considerably improved long-term survival rates. Despite improvements in chemotherapy regimens, more focused radiotherapy and diverse surgical options, cancer treatments often have gonadotoxic side-effects that can manifest as loss of fertility or sexual dysfunction, particularly in young cancer survivors. In this review, we focus on two pertinent quality-of-life issues in female cancer survivors of reproductive age-fertility preservation and sexual function. Fertility preservation encompasses all clinical and laboratory efforts to preserve a woman's chance to achieve future genetic motherhood. These efforts range from well-established protocols such as ovarian stimulation with cryopreservation of embryos or oocytes, to nascent clinical trials involving cryopreservation and re-implantation of ovarian tissue. Therefore, fertility preservation strategies are individualized to the cancer diagnosis, time interval until initiation of treatments must begin, prognosis, pubertal status, and maturity level of patient. Some patients choose not to pursue fertility preservation, and the conversation then centers around other quality of life issues. Not all cancer treatments cause loss of fertility; however, most treatments can directly impact the physical and psychosocial aspects of sexual function. Cancer treatment is also associated with fear, anxiety, and depression, which can further decrease sexual desire, function, and frequency. Sexual dysfunction after cancer treatment is generally ascertained by compassionate inquiry. Strategies to promote sexual function after cancer treatment include pelvic floor exercises, clitoral therapy devices, pharmacologic agents, as well as couples-based psychotherapeutic and psycho-educational interventions. Quality-of-life issues in young cancer survivors are often best addressed by utilizing a multidisciplinary team consisting of physicians, nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, sex educators, counselors, or therapists.

Robotics in reproduction, fertility preservation, and ovarian transplantation

Robotic technology is one of the most promising and rapidly developing advancements of the twenty-first century with a potential to make significant contributions to reproductive surgery and preservation of fertility. Along with the major advances in cancer therapy, the number of female cancer survivors of reproductive age has dramatically increased. As a consequence, fertility preservation has gained more emphasis in reproductive science in the last few decades. A broad range of surgical procedures such as tubal reanastomosis, ovarian transposition, radical trachelectomy, and ovarian transplantation has been introduced to restore or preserve fertility in selected patients. These procedures can be accomplished through various surgical routes, including open surgery and minimally invasive approaches. In this review, we aim to present the current applications, advantages, and disadvantages of robotic technology in the field of reproductive surgery with a special interest in ovarian transplantation for fertility preservation.

Oncofertility for women with gynecologic malignancies

The emerging field of oncofertility addresses fertility and the reproductive health needs for cancer patients, a key topic in cancer survivorship. Given that the standard treatment for gynecologic malignancies involves removal of reproductive organs, pelvic radiation, or chemotherapy, the effect of such treatment on fertility and options for fertility preservation are even more relevant than for other malignancies. In young women with new diagnoses of cervical, endometrial, or ovarian cancers, viable strategies for fertility preservation without compromising oncological outcome exist and should be considered. We present here a comprehensive review of the literature as it pertains to gynecologic malignancies on 1) the effects of radiation and chemotherapy on fertility, 2) fertility-sparing surgeries and the role of assisted reproductive technology, and 3) fertility preservation in adolescent girls and women with BRCA germline mutations.

Brachytherapy and fertility

Fertility is a major part of the global care of patients treated for cancer. A new discipline known as oncofertility has emerged in some countries. Although the relationship between chemotherapy and external radiotherapy and fertility has been studied and reported, there is only scarce data available on brachytherapy. This systematic review aims to report available knowledge on the impact of brachytherapy on fertility. Specific consultations should be considered before brachytherapy to inform patients about their fertility preservation options.

Laparoscopic ovarian transposition prior to pelvic irradiation in a young female patient with advanced rectal cancer

In the report, we describe the first case of laparoscopic ovarian transposition prior to pelvic radio-chemo therapy in a young female patient with advanced rectal cancer in Japan. A 14-year-old female visited a hospital because of consistent diarrhea and melena. Colonoscopy examination showed a bulky tumor of the rectum, which was diagnosed as moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The diagnosis was cT3N2aM1a (due to lymph node in pelvic side wall), cStage IVA. In an attempt to improve local control and sphincter preservation, neoadjuvant concurrent radio-chemo therapy was planned. Considering that pelvic irradiation particularly in young female might cause ovarian failure, laparoscopic ovarian transposition was carried out prior to pelvic irradiation. Sequentially the patient underwent low anterior resection of the rectum and lymphadenectomy including pelvic side wall. The menstruation was maintained with delay for 6 months after adjuvant chemotherapy. There is no evidence of cancer recurrence at 3 years after the surgery.In premenopausal patients with rectal cancer undergoing pelvic irradiation, laparoscopic ovarian transposition is one of the choices to prevent ovarian failure.

Fertility Protection in Female Oncology Patients: How Should Patients Be Counseled?

Protecting the fertility of patients with oncologic disease is becoming more and more important, as fulfilling the wish to have children is increasingly occurring at a later stage in life and long-term survival rates after cancer are continuing to improve. A number of fertility-preserving options exist. In addition to techniques which have been around for some time such as medical ovarian suppression, ovarian transposition, and organ-preserving surgery, there are other, more recent, innovative methods which have developed over the last few years such as cryopreservation of oocytes or ovarian tissue transplantation after completing cancer therapy. As every procedure has its specific advantages and disadvantages, informed patient consent is essential. The physician's aim must be to select the optimal procedure for each patient. The extent of patients' information about the options to preserve fertility in women with oncologic disease remains limited. One of the main reasons for this is that clinicians are not sure how to inform patients about existing procedures and methods. The aim of this review article is to provide help in clinical practice.

Ovarian aging and premature ovarian failure

Physiological reproductive aging occurs as a result of a decrease in the number and quality of oocytes in ovarian cortex follicles. Although the reason for the decrease in the quality of the pool and follicular oocytes is not fully understood, endocrine, paracrine, genetic, and metabolic factors are thought to be effective. Nowadays, in order to understand the mechanisms of ovarian aging, genomic research has gained importance. The effect of co-factors, such as telomerase and ceramide, in the ovarian aging process is only getting ascertained with new research studies. The most important tests in the assessment of ovarian aging are antral follicle count and anti-Mullerian hormone.

Outcomes of ovarian transposition in gynaecological cancers; a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pelvic irradiation is essential for improving survival in women with pelvic malignancies despite inducing permanent ovarian damage. Ovarian transposition can be performed in premenopausal women in an attempt to preserve ovarian function. As uncertainty occurs over the proportion of women who are likely to benefit from the procedure, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the proportion of women with ovarian function preservation, symptomatic or asymptomatic ovarian cysts and metastatic ovarian malignancy following ovarian transposition.

METHODS

Medline, Embase and The Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for articles published from January 1980 to December 2013. We computed the summary proportions for ovarian function preservation, ovarian cyst formation and metastatic ovarian disease following ovarian transposition by random effects meta-analysis with meta-regression to explore for heterogeneity by type of radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Twenty four articles reporting on 892 women undergoing ovarian transposition were included. In the surgery alone group, the proportion of women with preserved ovarian function was 90% (95% CI 92-99), 87% (95% CI 79-97) of women did not develop ovarian cysts and 100% (95% CI 90-111) did not suffer metastases to the transposed ovaries. In the brachytherapy (BR)± surgery group, the proportion of women with preserved ovarian function was 94% (95% CI 79-111), 84% (95% CI 70-101) of women did not develop ovarian cysts and 100% (95% CI 85-118) did not suffer metastases to the transposed ovaries. In the external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) +surgery ± BR group, the proportion of women with preserved ovarian function was 65% (95% CI 56-74), 95% (95% CI 85-106) of women did not develop ovarian cysts and 100% (95% CI 90-112) did not suffer metastases to the transposed ovaries. Subgroup meta-analysis revealed transposition to the subcutaneous tissue being associated with higher ovarian cyst formation rate compared to the "traditional" transposition.

CONCLUSION

Ovarian transposition is associated with significant preservation of ovarian function and negligible risk for metastases to the transposed ovaries despite common incidence of ovarian cysts.

Preserving Fertility in Adolescent Girls and Young Women Requiring Craniospinal Irradiation: A Case Report and Discussion of Options to Be Considered Prior to Treatment

Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) is associated with infertility risk for adolescent/young adult women. We explore two methods of reducing ovarian exposure: oophoropexy (surgical removal of the ovaries from the path of the X-ray beam) and proton therapy (to allow the beam to stop without exposing the ovaries/uterus). In the case discussed, oophoropexy followed by X-ray CSI reduced ovarian dose to that at which 50% of oocytes are expected to survive, and the patient appears to have viable oocytes; this technique did not reduce uterine dose. Proton therapy would have eliminated the ovarian and uterine dose and the need for oophoropexy.

Fertility preservation and minimizing reproductive damage in cancer survivors

Recent advances in oncology have helped in the survival and cure of increasing numbers of childhood cancer patients and those during their reproductive age period. This has increased the need to improve existing technology, and prompted the search for new technologies, to minimize the gonadotoxic effects of cancer treatment and preserve human fertility. Conservative surgical approaches for cancer treatment have been widely accepted following progress in early detection of cancer and accumulating long-term outcome safety data. Gonadal suppression to increase resistance to cancer treatment by gonadotropin analogues and sex hormones has been suggested. However, while this is unlikely to be effective in males, there is no general consensus on its success in the female. Fertility preservation options for both male and female patients include cryopreservation of embryos, gametes and gonads. While embryo cryopreservation is a well-established and successful technique, there are several obvious limitations. Gamete cryopreservation is very successful in males (sperm freezing) while still experimental in females (oocyte freezing), with growing evidence suggesting its potential success. Gonadal cryopreservation is still in its early stages of experimental development, both in males (testicular tissue cryopreservation and in vitro spermatogenesis) and female (ovarian tissue cryopreservation and in vitro follicular maturation).

Fertility preservation in women

In women, ∼10% of cancers occur in those <45 years old. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and bone marrow transplantation can cure >90% of girls and young women with diseases that require such treatments. However, these treatments can result in premature ovarian failure, depending on the follicular reserve, the age of the patient and the type and dose of drugs used. This article discusses the different fertility preservation strategies: medical therapy before chemotherapy; ovarian transposition; embryo cryopreservation; oocyte vitrification; and ovarian tissue cryopreservation. The indications, results and risks of these options are discussed. Whether medical therapy should be used to protect the gonads during chemotherapy remains a source of debate. Fertility preservation needs to be completed before chemotherapy and/or irradiation is started and might take 2-3 weeks with established techniques such as embryo or oocyte cryopreservation. Further studies are needed in patients with cancer to confirm the excellent outcomes obtained in patients without cancer or in egg donation programmes. For prepubertal girls or cases where immediate therapy is required, cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is the only available option. Finally, possible future approaches are reviewed, including in vitro maturation of nonantral follicles, the artificial ovary, oogonial stem cells and drugs to prevent follicle loss.

Adolescent urologic oncology: current issues and future directions

Recent Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data indicate that the annual cancer incidence in adolescents is higher than in children, and is on the rise. However, the amount of attention, research funding, and therapeutic progress made in the adolescent oncology population pales in comparison with that of pediatric oncology. Issues of adolescent oncology have only recently been acknowledged by leaders in the field, and current efforts now focus on raising awareness of this unique patient group. In urology, there have been many gains made in pediatric urologic oncology, most notably in Wilms tumor and genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma (genitourinary [GU] rhabdomyosarcoma [RMS]); however, there has been little to no progress in the adolescent population. In general, adolescent cancer represents the interface between pediatric and adult oncology. Similarly, adolescent urologic oncology must be approached as a distinct entity because of the unique disease processes, treatment-related comorbidities, and psychosocial issues. This article will serve to review the most pertinent adolescent urologic oncologic diagnoses (testicular germ call malignancy, the second peak of the bimodal age distribution of GU-RMS, and adolescent renal malignancies). Also, we focus on such issues as the therapeutic impact on fertility, radiation exposure during therapy, and surveillance, risk of secondary malignancy, the long-term impact of chemotherapy, and the psychosocial burden of cancer in this population. Lastly, we highlight future directions and the foreseeable obstacles towards achieving the same research and therapeutic success enjoyed in pediatric urologic oncology.

Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Female Genital Tract: Long-Term Outcome and Fertility Aspects After Brachytherapy Aimed at a Conservative Treatment

Objectives

To assess the outcome and the fertility aspects in the particular population of cervical and/or vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) associated or not to previous in utero diethylstilbestrol exposure.

Methods

From January 1970 to December 2003, data from 61 consecutive patients with cervical and/or vaginal histologically proven CCA treated with brachytherapy (BT) aimed at a conservative treatment at the Institut Gustave Roussy as a part of treatment were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The median follow-up was 9.4 years, ranging from 0.3 to 27.4 years. The 5-year specific overall survival rate was 79%. The median time of disease-free survival was 5.8 years. In the subgroup of 42 patients with a cervical CCA, 12 patients tried to be pregnant, 2 patients became pregnant and had miscarriages (P2M2 and P1M1). No pregnancy has been observed in 10 patients exclusively owing to anomalies of the reproductive tract: 6 patients had partial or total diaphragm, 2 patients had an anatomical alteration of the uterus, 1 patient had atrophic endometrium, and 1 patient had primary infertility. In the subgroup of 19 patients with a vaginal CCA, 7 patients tried to be pregnant. All of them had no morphological and/or functional anomalies of the genital tract. Three of 7 patients had delivered healthy babies (P1D1, P2D2, and P3M2D1), and another one had a miscarriage (P1M1). Moreover, all babies were delivered by cesarean section. The pregnancy rate was 10% (6 of 61 patients) with 3 healthy babies.

Conclusion

Conservative approach in patients with female genital tract CCA including BT gives good results with good survival rates and an interesting global pregnancy rate.

Laparoscopic ovarian transposition before pelvic radiation in rectal cancer patient: safety and feasibility

BACKGROUND

Infertility due to pelvic radiation for advanced rectal cancer treatment is a major concern particularly in young patients. Pre-radiation laparoscopic ovarian transposition may offer preservation of ovarian function during the treatment however its use is limited.

AIM

The study investigates the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of pre-radiation laparoscopic ovarian transposition and its effect on ovarian function in the treatment o locally advanced rectal cancer.

METHODS

Charts review of all young female patients diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer, underwent laparoscopic ovarian transposition, then received preoperative radiotherapy at king Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre between 2003-2007.

RESULTS

During the period studied three single patients age between 21-27 years underwent pre-radiation laparoscopic ovarian transposition for advanced rectal cancer. All required pretreatment laparoscopic diversion stoma due to rectal stricture secondary to tumor that was performed at the same time. One patient died of metastatic disease during treatment. The ovarian hormonal levels (FSH and LH) were normal in two patients. One has had normal menstrual period and other had amenorrhoea after 4 months follow-up however her ovarian hormonal level were within normal limits.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic ovarian transposition before pelvic radiation in advanced rectal cancer treatment is an effective and feasible way of preservation of ovarian function in young patients at risk of radiotherapy induced ovarian failure. However, this procedure is still under used and it is advisable to discuss and propose it to suitable patients.

Interventions in the prolongation of reproductive life in women

Women may seek to prolong their reproductive span for a variety of reasons. For many this implies reproduction at a late age, possibly driven by lifestyle decisions, but for others affected by a natural or a cancer treatment-induced premature ovarian failure it may simply mean seeking to achieve the normal reproductive span. The range of interventions now available to address the issue of prolonging reproductive life has never been greater, although several of the approaches discussed remain in the realm of future application through being dependent on ongoing scientific developments.

Topic update: effects of colorectal cancer treatments on female fertility and potential methods for fertility preservation

PURPOSE

Preservation of fertility in young females with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer is gaining increasing importance as survival rates of cancer increase. This review examines the effects of pelvic surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy on fecundity. It also discusses the options available to patients including ovarian transposition, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, embryo and ovarian cryopreservation, and ovarian tissue transplantation.

METHODS

A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library was performed using keywords and exploded Mesh search headings and the subsequent articles were reviewed. Relevant studies were included.

RESULTS

There are no studies that examine the effect of surgery for colorectal cancer on female fertility, in particular, surgery below the peritoneal reflection for rectal cancer. However, patients with familial adenomatous polyposis have a similar fecundity before and after proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. These patients did significantly better than patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent the same procedure. There is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of open vs laparoscopic surgery on fertility. Oxaliplatin, an adjuvant therapy, has moderate gonadotoxic effects. Fluorouracil is considered to have almost no effect on human reproductive function. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are currently used to preserve female fecundity during chemotherapy. A recent update of patients treated for Hodgkin lymphoma showed that significantly fewer women treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist during chemotherapy exhibited premature ovarian failure. Ovarian transposition reduces the radiation dose to approximately 5% to 10% of the dose to the ovaries in their normal position. Other options are available to women with cancer who wish to preserve their germ line, including embryo and oocyte cryopreservation and ovarian tissue cryopreservation.

CONCLUSION

Significant advances are now allowing females to preserve their fertility after cancer treatment. It is essential that patients receive adequate fertility counseling before any intervention to give them an opportunity to consider fertility alternatives.

Laparoscopic ovarian transposition before pelvic irradiation: a Saudi tertiary center experience

OBJECTIVE

To report the authors' experience with laparoscopic ovarian transposition and ovarian function preservation in women who require pelvic irradiation as part of their cancer therapy.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

SETTING

The gynecologic oncology service in a referral tertiary/quaternary medical center in Saudi Arabia.

PATIENTS

Twenty-three premenopausal patients treated with radiotherapy for a pelvic malignancy.

INTERVENTIONS

Laparoscopic ovarian transposition to paracolic gutters with uterine conservation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Preservation of ovarian function assessed by patients' symptoms and serum follicle-stimulating hormone level.

RESULTS

Bilateral laparoscopic ovarian transposition was performed in 23 patients: 15 with cervical cancer, 4 with rectal cancer, 3 with Ewing sarcoma, and 1 with Hodgkin lymphoma. No immediate intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Ovarian preservation was achieved in 13 (65%) of 20 patients. Seven patients with low follicle-stimulating hormone levels had regular uterine bleeding at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic ovarian transposition is a safe and effective procedure for preserving ovarian function. This procedure should be considered in all premenopausal women who need to undergo pelvic irradiation as part of their cancer treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer during pregnancy

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

One third of all cervical carcinomas occur during the reproductive period. Cervical carcinoma is the second greatest cause of death due to cancer during this phase. The estimated frequency of cervical cancer during pregnancy is one case for every 1,000 to 5,000 pregnancies. The aim here was to provide information about the difficulties in diagnosing and managing cervical neoplasia during pregnancy.

MATERIALS

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken through the PubMed, Cochrane, Excerpta Medica (Embase), Literatura Latino Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases, using the following words: pregnancy, cervical cancer, diagnosis and management.

RESULTS

There was a consensus in the literature regarding diagnosis of cervical carcinoma and management of preneoplastic lesions during pregnancy. However, for management of invasive carcinoma, there was great divergence regarding the gestational age taken as the limit for observation rather than immediate treatment.

CONCLUSION

All patients with cytological abnormalities should undergo colposcopy, which will indicate and guide biopsy. Conization is reserved for patients with suspected invasion. High-grade lesions should be monitored during pregnancy and reevaluated after delivery. In cases of invasive carcinoma detected up to the 12th week of pregnancy, patient treatment is prioritized. Regarding diagnoses made during the second trimester, fetal pulmonary maturity can be awaited, and the use of chemotherapy to stabilize the disease until the time of delivery appears to be viable.

Preservation of ovarian germinal follicles by temporary laparoscopic ovarian transposition in teenaged girls undergoing craniospinal irradiation for radiosensitive central nervous system tumors

OBJECTIVE

To report the efficacy of laparoscopic ovarian transposition procedure in teenaged girls for preventing ovarian damage from craniospinal radiation therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five teenaged girls were diagnosed with radiosensitive brain germinomas or medulloblastomas that needed irradiation with doses of higher than 500 cGy to the whole craniospinal area after craniotomy. The oophoropexy method was lateral transposition of the ovaries to the round ligament without opening the surrounding peritoneum so as to move the ovaries outside of the radiation field. Meanwhile, the hemoclip was clamped on the medial site of the ovary to guide the radiologist to set a proper field between the two ovaries for radiation therapy. After irradiation with the total dose completed, second-look laparoscopy was performed to remove the Prolene stitches and hemoclips. Bilateral ovarian biopsies were performed to evaluate the efficacy on the preservation of ovarian tissue, upon the consent of each patient and her parents.

RESULTS

On second-look laparoscopy, only small amounts of loose adhesions surrounding the hemoclips and ties were found. Histologic measurements showed that there were more than 10 germinal follicles per high-power field in each ovarian tissue section.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic oophoropexy is an easy and safe surgical procedure for teenaged girls. It can be used to successfully prevent craniospinal irradiation damage to the ovarian germinal follicles in teenaged girls and to retain their ovarian reproductive function.