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Review
. 2022 Nov;24(11):1541-1548.
doi: 10.1007/s11912-022-01317-w. Epub 2022 Aug 12.

Fertility-Sparing and Less Radical Surgery for Cervical Cancer

Samantha H Batman  1 , Kathleen M Schmeler  2
Affiliations
Review

Fertility-Sparing and Less Radical Surgery for Cervical Cancer

Samantha H Batman et al. Curr Oncol Rep. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Patients with early-stage cervical cancer who desire future fertility may be candidates for less radical surgery. We review the literature supporting this approach in early-stage disease.

Recent findings: Retrospective data have shown that in carefully selected patients, the risk of parametrial involvement is less than 1%. This has led to interest in moving away from radical surgery towards more conservative approaches. Data from the newly published ConCerv trial, a prospective study evaluating the feasibility of conservative surgery in women with early-stage, low-risk cervical carcinoma, suggest that conservative surgery is feasible and safe in this patient population. Furthermore, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being assessed as an option to extend fertility-sparing treatment to a larger group of women. Less radical surgery may be appropriate for carefully selected women with early-stage, low-risk cervical cancer, including those desiring future fertility.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; Conization; Conservative surgery; Fertility-sparing; Simple hysterectomy; Simple trachelectomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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