Fertility-sparing surgery for treatment of non-epithelial ovarian cancer: Oncological and reproductive outcomes in a prospective nationwide population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the oncologic outcome of women who underwent fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) vs. radical surgery (RS) for treatment of NEOC in a prospective, nationwide, population-based study and report on the reproductive outcomes in women after FSS.

METHODS

Using the Swedish Quality Register for Gynecological Cancer, we identified all women ages 18-40 treated with either FSS or RS for stage I NEOC between 2008 and 2015. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. Data on use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments and obstetrical outcomes after FSS were extracted from the National Quality Register for Assisted Reproduction (Q-IVF) and the Swedish Medical Birth Register.

RESULTS

During the study period, 73 women ages 18-40 received a stage I NEOC diagnosis. The majority, 78% (n = 57), underwent FSS. The 5-year OS rate, regardless of surgical approach, was 98%. There were no statistical differences between OS and PFS rates in women treated with FSS, compared to RS. Recurrences were more common after RS than FSS: 12.5% (2/16) vs. 3.5% (2/57), respectively. Following FSS, 11 women gave birth to 13 healthy children (all conceived naturally). Additionally, 12% of the women in the cohort developed infertility and received ART treatment (n = 7).

CONCLUSION

FSS is not associated with worse oncologic outcomes than RS in young women with early stage NEOC. The prognosis was excellent in both groups, with an OS of 98%. Natural fertility was maintained in women treated with FSS, only 12% required ART treatment.