Pregnancies after vaginal radical trachelectomy (RT) in patients with early invasive uterine cervical cancer: results from a single institute

Surgical Treatment for Early Cervical Cancer in the HPV Era: State of the Art

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. The aim of this study is to focus on the state of the art of CC prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment and, within the latter, the role of surgery in the various stages of the disease with a focus on the impact of the LACC study (Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer trial) on the scientific debate and clinical practice. We have discussed the controversial application of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for tumors < 2 cm and the possibility of fertility-sparing surgery on young women desirous of pregnancy. This analysis provides support for surgeons in the choice of better management, including patients with a desire for offspring and the need for sentinel node biopsy (SNB) rather than pelvic lymphadenectomy for tumors < 4 cm, and without suspicious lymph nodes' involvement on imaging. Vaccines and early diagnosis of pre-cancerous lesions are the most effective public health tool to tackle cervical cancer worldwide.

Reproductive and Obstetric Outcomes after Fertility-Sparing Treatments for Cervical Cancer: Current Approach and Future Directions

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in women of reproductive age. The established fertility-sparing approaches for the management of early-stage cervical cancer for women who plan pregnancy are associated with a decline in fecundity and an increased risk of pregnancy complications. This article aims to offer an overview of fertility-sparing approaches and the management of potential subfertility and pregnancy complications after these treatments. An extensive search for the available data about infertility and cervical cancer, fertility-sparing techniques in patients with cervical cancer, fertility treatment, obstetrical complications, and pregnancy outcomes in cervical cancer patients was completed. Fertility-preserving procedures such as loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), cold-knife conization, and trachelectomy in women diagnosed with cervical cancer can be considered as safe and effective treatments that preserve reproductive potential. Current fertility-preserving procedures, based on the balance of the oncological characteristics of patients as well as their desire for reproduction, allow one to obtain acceptable reproductive and obstetric outcomes in women treated for cervical cancer. Nevertheless, careful monitoring of pregnancies obtained after fertility-preserving procedures is recommended, since this cohort of patients should be considered at higher risk compared with a healthy population.

The effectiveness of transabdominal cerclage placement via laparoscopy or laparotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Failure or technical impossibility to place a prophylactic transvaginal cerclage in women with cervical insufficiency justifies the need for an abdominal cerclage. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we studied the obstetrical and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic and open laparotomy abdominal cerclage approaches performed before (interval) or during pregnancy.

DATA SOURCES

We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies on laparoscopic and open laparotomy abdominal cerclage placement in February 2022.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All studies on laparoscopic or open laparotomy placement of an abdominal cerclage with at least 2 patients that reported on our primary outcomes were included.

METHODS

All included studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias with an adjusted Quality in Prognosis Study tool. Random effects meta-analyses were performed for the primary outcomes, namely fetal survival and gestational age at delivery.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 83 studies with a total of 3398 patients; 1869 of those underwent laparoscopic cerclage placement and 1529 underwent open laparotomy placements. No studies directly compared the 2 cerclage approaches. The survival (overall, 91.2%) and gestational age at delivery (overall, 36.6 weeks) were not statistically different between the approaches. For the procedure during pregnancy, the laparoscopic group showed significantly less blood loss >400 mL (0% vs 3%), a slightly lower procedure-related fetal loss (0% vs 1%), a shorter hospital stay but a longer operation duration than the open laparotomy group. For the interval cerclages, the laparoscopic group showed significantly fewer wound infections (0% vs 3%) and a shorter hospital stay than the open laparotomy group, but showed comparable offspring preterm birth and survival rates.

CONCLUSION

Based on indirect comparisons, the laparoscopic and open laparotomy abdominal cerclage placements at interval or during pregnancy produced similar outcomes in terms of survival and gestational age at delivery. There are some small differences in perioperative care, surgical complications, interventions, and complications during pregnancy. This implies that both methods of abdominal cerclage placement have high success rates and thus we cannot conclude that one of the methods is superior for the placement of an abdominal cerclage.

Fetal biometric and Doppler measurements following abdominal radical trachelectomy in the second trimester of the pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Our previous study demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of abdominal radical trachelectomy during pregnancy but did not focus on the fetus. This study aimed to clarify the influence of abdominal radical trachelectomy performed during pregnancy on the fetus.

METHODS

Eight cervical cancer patients who underwent abdominal radical trachelectomy at our hospital between February 2013 and August 2020 were enrolled in this study. To assess the peri- and postoperative influence on the fetus, we performed fetal heart monitoring at 30-min intervals during abdominal radical trachelectomy and calculated the estimated fetal body weight and resistance indexes of the middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery from postsurgery until delivery.

RESULTS

Four out of eight patients had preterm birth due to chorioamnionitis in one case and consideration of the recurrent risk of cervical cancer in three cases. Fetal heart monitoring during abdominal radical trachelectomy revealed deceleration just once in one case but no abnormal findings in the other cases. In all cases, the fetal growth after abdominal radical trachelectomy was normal until delivery. No abnormal Doppler findings were detected in the middle cerebral artery or umbilical artery.

CONCLUSION

Our findings clarified that abdominal radical trachelectomy performed for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer during pregnancy has no obvious influence on fetal growth. Next, it is necessary to evaluate the growth and development of children delivered from mothers who have undergone abdominal radical trachelectomy during pregnancy.

Early Cervical Lesions Affecting Ovarian Reserve and Reproductive Outcomes of Females in Assisted Reproductive Cycles

To estimate the effects of early cervical lesions (ECL) on female reproductive function and IVF/ICSI cycle outcomes, a retrospective cohort study involving 111 infertile women from 2014 to 2019 was performed. Thirty-seven women with a history of ECL and seventy-four controls, undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles, were included in the ECL group and comparison group respectively. Demographic characteristics, ovarian reserve, and IVF/ICSI cycle outcomes of both groups were collected. Basal serum FSH level, AMH level, AFC, number of oocytes retrieved and matured, normal fertilization rate, embryo available rate, blastocyst formation rate, implantation rate, pregnancy rate, and cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) were assessed and compared. We observed that while both groups were similar concerning baseline features, significantly more women in the ECL group were diagnosed as poor ovarian response (POR), compared with those in the comparison group (27.0% vs. 10.8%, P=0.003). The pregnancy rate and LBR for a complete cycle were both significantly lower in the ECL group (38.5% vs. 58.8%, P=0.021; 28.9% vs. 48.2%, P=0.025, respectively). The conservative and optimal CLBRs for up to four complete cycles in the ECL group were also lower than those in the comparison group (40.5% vs. 55.4%, P=0.140; 45.9% vs. 67.6%, P=0.028). Longer time intervals (over one year) between ECL diagnosis/treatment and assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle start negatively affected the pregnancy rate and LBR. In conclusion, female patients with ECL history seemingly have a lower ovarian reserve, reduced pregnancy rate, and decreased live birth rate (LBR), compared with age-matched women undergoing IVF/ICSI.

Does radical trachelectomy (RT) during pregnancy have higher obstetrical and oncological risks than RT before pregnancy?

PURPOSE

Radical trachelectomy (RT) with pelvic lymphadenectomy has become a new treatment option for young patients with uterine cervical cancer stages 1A2-1B1 who desire the preservation of their fertility. However, the application of RT for pregnant patients is still controversial. We comparatively studied both obstetrical and oncological outcomes of pregnant patients who underwent vaginal RT during pregnancy and those who underwent vaginal RT before pregnancy.

METHODS

Both obstetrical and oncological results of eight patients who underwent vaginal RT with pelvic lymphadenectomy during pregnancy in our institute between 2010 and 2020 (Group A), and ten pregnant patients who underwent vaginal RT with pelvic lymphadenectomy before pregnancy during the same period (Group B) were reviewed based on their medical charts.

RESULTS

There were neither significant differences in blood loss, surgical time, or surgical completeness between Group A and Group B, nor were there significant differences in obstetrical outcomes between the two groups. However, two of the eight patients in Group A had recurrence of the cancer. None of the patients in Group B has shown any signs of recurrence thus far.

CONCLUSION

Vaginal RT during pregnancy does not affect the obstetrical prognoses of patients with early invasive uterine cervical cancer, and it might be a tolerable treatment modality for them. However, oncologically, it should be performed carefully as there is a risk of recurrence.

Effect of Low-Frequency Electric Pulse Technique Combined with Carboprost Methylate Suppositories on Recovery of Gastrointestinal Function and Postoperative Complications of Patients with Scarred Uterus Undergoing Secondary Cesarean Section

The study aims to explore the effect of low-frequency electric pulse technique combined with carboprost methylate suppositories on recovery of gastrointestinal function and postoperative complications of patients with scarred uterus undergoing secondary cesarean section (C-section). The clinical data of 120 patients with scarred uterus undergoing secondary C-section treated in our hospital from February 2019 to February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were equally divided into experimental and control groups according to their admission order, where each group included 60 patients. After the operation, patients in the control group received routine nursing and conducted breastfeeding, and carboprost methylate suppositories were used for postoperative hemostasis. Those in the experimental group received low-frequency electric pulse technique for comprehensive treatment to compare their coagulation function indicators, recovery of gastrointestinal function, incidence rates of postoperative complications, and involution of uterus. No significant between-group differences in patients' general information such as gestational weeks, gravidity, and number of times receiving C-section were observed (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group after the operation, patients in the experimental group obtained significantly better coagulation function indicators (P < 0.001) and presented better gastrointestinal function recovery (P < 0.001), significantly lower incidence rates of postpartum hemorrhage, retention of urine, deep venous thrombosis of lower limb, rupture of uterus, and endometrial cavity fluid (P < 0.05), and significantly better involution of uterus (P < 0.001). In conclusion, combining low-frequency electric pulse technique with carboprost methylate suppositories can lower the incidence rates of postoperative complications for patients with scarred uterus undergoing secondary C-section, improve their coagulation function, promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function, and present the desirable involution of uterus, which should be promoted in practice.

Photodynamic therapy for early-stage cervical cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

The main aim of this article is a retrospective analysis of PDT effectiveness treatment in early-stage cervical cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

28 patients were analyzed retrospectively with PDT treatment of early-stage cervical cancer. A multi-course PDT approach should have been performed for each patient. Patients underwent one PDT session or multi-course PDT approach. It depended on individual reaction and response to therapy after the first session. A multi-course approach was performed in the next two months. Treatment was performed from 2015 to 2020. Relapse-free probability was assessed for these patients by Kaplan Meier estimator in 60 months.

RESULTS

HPV elimination was in 82% of cases in three-month period after PDT (R² = 0.71). Among the analyzed cases, full HPV elimination was detected more than in 90% of cases. Relapse-free probability is 0,8 (CI95%: 0,53-1) in 60 months. Patients had mild (35.7%) and severe (28.6%) leucocyte reactions after PDT in three months.

CONCLUSION

The article demonstrates new treatment results of CC and detected a five-year period relapse-free probability after PDT. Only correct protocol using PDT for invasive cervical cancer provides high effectiveness and relapse-free survival.

Fertility-Sparing Surgery in Gynecologic Cancer: A Systematic Review

Fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) is increasingly being offered to women with a gynecological malignancy who wish to preserve fertility. In this systematic review, we evaluate the best evidence currently available on oncological and reproductive outcome after FSS for early stage cervical cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. An extensive literature search was conducted using the electronic databases Medline (OVID), Embase, and Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies published up to December 2020. In total, 153 studies were included with 7544, 3944, and 1229 patients who underwent FSS for cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer, respectively. We assessed the different FSS techniques that are available to preserve fertility, i.e., omitting removal of the uterine body and preserving at least one ovary. Overall, recurrence rates after FSS are reassuring and therefore, these conservative procedures seem oncologically safe in the current selection of patients with low-stage and low-grade disease. However, generalized conclusions should be made with caution due to the methodology of available studies, i.e., mostly retrospective cohort studies with a heterogeneous patient population, inducing selection bias. Moreover, about half of patients do not pursue pregnancy despite FSS and the reasons for these decisions have not yet been well studied. International collaboration will facilitate the collection of solid evidence on FSS and the related decision-making process to optimize patient selection and counseling.