Simple trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy as a viable treatment option in pregnant patients with stage IB1 (≥2 cm) cervical cancer: Bridging the gap to fetal viability.

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate simple trachelectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with stage IB1 (≥2 cm) cervical cancer wishing to maintain their pregnancy.

METHODS

We included patients with stage IB1 (≥2 cm) cervical cancer who underwent simple trachelectomy and minimally invasive pelvic lymphadenectomy during pregnancy from January 2004 to August 2016. Data analysis included demographics, perioperative, obstetrics, and oncologic outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 5 patients were included. Median age was 30 years (range; 26-38). Median gestational age (GA) at diagnosis was 12 weeks (range; 7-18) and at treatment intervention 16.5 weeks (range; 12-19). Histologic subtypes included: adenocarcinoma (3 patients) and squamous cell carcinoma (2 patients). Median tumor size by clinical exam was 27 mm (range; 20-40), grade 2 (range; 2-3) and depth of invasion 10 mm (range; 1.5-12). All patients underwent laparoscopic (1) or robotic (4) pelvic lymphadenectomy followed by vaginal simple trachelectomy. Median operative time was 193 min (range; 155-259), estimated blood loss 100 ml (range; 50-550) and length of stay 2 days (range; 1-3). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications (<30 days). Median number of lymph nodes removed was 14 (range; 5-15). One patient had bilateral microscopic positive nodes. The median gestational age at delivery was 39 weeks (range; 28-40.6). After median follow-up of 75 months (range; 18-168), all patients are alive without disease.

CONCLUSION

Simple trachelectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection may be a safe option in pregnant patients with stage IB1 (>2 cm) cervical cancer wishing to maintain their pregnancy.