Outcomes of fertility-sparing surgery for women of reproductive age with FIGO stage IC epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To report the clinical outcomes of patients with FIGO stage IC epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) treated by fertility-sparing surgery (FSS).

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of 18 women who underwent FSS at Niigata University Hospital, Japan, between December 15, 1986, and December 31, 2010.

RESULTS

Tumors were mucinous (n=9), clear cell (n=4), endometrioid (n=3), and serous (n=2). Median follow-up was 78.0 months (range, 9.3-181.3 months). Five patients (27.8%) developed tumor recurrence at 7.4-19.2 months after initial surgery. The sites of recurrence were peritoneal lymph nodes (n=2), contralateral ovary (n=1), contralateral ovary and peritoneal cavity (n=1), and brain (n=1). In all, 7 full-term singleton pregnancies were recorded among 5 of the 10 women who attempted to conceive after FSS.

CONCLUSION

Favorable reproductive outcomes were observed following FSS, suggesting that this procedure may be a valid treatment option for women with FIGO stage IC EOC who wish to conceive.