Fertility‐saving treatment in gynaecological oncology

Abstract

The incidence of cancers in young women is rising. Fertility‐saving treatment options are available for cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer. Fertility‐sparing options are usually more appropriate when the cancer is at an early stage. Learning objectives: To be able to identify the different fertility‐saving surgical options for women diagnosed with cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer. To understand the advantages and limitations of fertility‐saving surgery in women with gynaecological malignancy. To understand that fertility‐saving surgery is not appropriate in all cases. Ethical issues: Treatments that save fertility may result in other morbidities such as premature delivery. Long‐term follow‐up data on some methods of fertility‐saving surgery are limited and, therefore, women may be compromising their survival to preserve fertility. Please cite this article as: Ellis P, Mould T. Fertility‐saving treatment in gynaecological oncology. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:239–244.