When considered to be the optimal course of action for a certain cancer patient, fertility-sparing surgery protects the female body's potential to get pregnant. Women who want to keep their fertility intact and have a gynaecological cancer are increasingly being given fertility-sparing surgery (FSS). We analyse the most recent research on oncological and reproductive outcomes following FSS for early stage cervical cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer in this systematic review. Recurrence rates following FSS are generally encouraging, and given the current patient selection of those with low-stage and low-grade cancer, these conservative treatments appear to be oncologically safe. Nevertheless, due to the methodology of the available research, i.e., largely retrospective cohort studies with a varied patient group, causing selection bias, generalised inferences should be taken with caution. Nevertheless, despite FSS, around 50% of patients choose not to become pregnant, and the causes of these choices are still poorly understood. International cooperation will make it easier to gather reliable data on FSS and the associated decision-making process to improve patient counselling and selection.
Published Date: 2023-03-30; Received Date: 2023-03-02
