Fertility-sparing options for patients with gynecologic malignancies

Oncologist. 2005 Sep;10(8):613-22. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.10-8-613.

Abstract

Gynecologic malignancies are most often diagnosed in postmenopausal women, but these malignancies also arise in premenopausal women, in whom issues of fertility can be a major concern. An increasing number of women are delaying childbearing. This has led to a significant increase in the number of women diagnosed with a gynecologic malignancy before desired completion of childbearing. Many of the standard treatments for these malignancies result in permanent sterility; however, there are now options for select young women who desire to preserve fertility. Patients should be told that data on fertility-sparing procedures are limited and that many of these options are of an experimental, nonstandard nature. The care of these patients is challenging and complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach, which should include gynecologic oncologists, reproductive endocrinologists, and perinatologists.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Endometrial Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Fertility*
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / drug therapy
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / surgery
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / surgery
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / surgery