Outcomes of fertility-sparing surgery among young women with FIGO stage I clear cell carcinoma of the ovary

abstract
 

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the outcome of fertility-sparing surgery among young women with early-stage clear cell carcinoma of the ovary.

METHODS:

In a retrospective study, data were reviewed for patients aged 45years or younger who had FIGO stage I clear cell carcinoma of the ovary and had attended one institution in South Korea between December 1999 and December 2009. Outcomes were compared between women undergoing fertility-sparing surgery, defined as preservation of the uterus and at least one adnexa, and those undergoing radical surgery.

RESULTS:

Overall, 47 patients were included (22 underwent fertility-sparing surgery, 25 radical surgery). After a median follow-up of 72months (range 8-175), 5 (23%) patients who underwent fertility-sparing surgery and 5 (20%) in the radical surgery group had recurrent disease (P=0.820). The mean time to recurrence was 19months after fertility-sparing surgery versus 20months after radical surgery (P=0.935). The anatomical location of recurrence did not differ. There was no difference in 5-year disease-free survival (77% vs 84%; P=0.849) or 5-year overall survival (91% vs 88%; P=0.480).

CONCLUSION:

Fertility-sparing surgery was found to be a safe alternative for young women with FIGO stage I clear cell carcinoma of the ovary who wish to preserve fertility.