Fertility preservation surgeries and reproductive technologies in patients with early ovarian cancer and borderline tumors

Currently, available data indicate the oncological safety and high efficiency of fertility preservation surgeries and reproductive technologies in patients with early ovarian cancer. The international scientific community is increasingly discussing the importance of timely patient information and the implementation of fertility preservation strategies in patients with early ovarian cancer. Research in this area should be continued due to the lack of reliable data.

Fertility preservation in women with early ovarian cancer

Fertility preservation is an important option to consider for young women with low-grade early ovarian cancer. Fertility-sparing surgery (“FSS”) permits the conservation of the uterus and one of the ovaries. This technique is considered safe for stages IA G1, G2 and probably safe for IC G1 epithelial and non-epithelial ovarian cancers. There are still uncertainties and FSS is not fully accepted for stage IC G1, G2 and clear cell carcinoma. The difficulty in choosing the best option lies in the fact that there is a lack of prospective randomized studies, due to ethical and organizational issues. Retrospective studies and reviews showed reassuring results for FSS in terms of relapse and long term survival. The spontaneous pregnancy rate seems to decrease after FSS, but chemotherapy does not seem to have an impact on fertility rates. Compared with the general population, assisted reproductive techniques are considered safe and with similar fertility results.