BackgroundCervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, many of who are still within their reproductive lifespan. Advances in screening and treatment have increased the 5-year survival for early stage disease to over 90 % in developed countries. The focus is now shifting to reducing morbidity and improving fertility outcomes for cervical cancer patients. Radical trachelectomy with lymph node assessment became the standard of care for selected women with lesions <2 cm who desire fertility preservation. However, several questions still remain regarding the degree of surgical radicality required for tumors <2 cm, and fertility-sparing options for women with early-stage disesase ≥2 cm, and those with more advanced disease. Here, we compile a narrative review of the evidence for oncologic and pregnancy outcomes following radical trachelectomy, non-radical fertility-sparing surgery, and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery for larger lesions. We also review the literature for assisted reproductive technologies in women with more advanced disease.FindingsAvailable literature suggests that the crude recurrence and mortality rates after radical trachelectomy are <5 and <2 %, respectively (approx. 11 and 4 % for tumors ≥ 2 cm). Among 1238 patients who underwent fertility-sparing surgery for early cervical cancer there were 469 pregnancies with a 67 % live birth rate. Among 134 cases with lesions ≥ 2 cm, there were ten conceptions with a live birth rate of 70 %. Outcomes after non-radical surgery (simple trachelectomy or cervical conization) are similar, although only applicable among a highly selected patient population. For patients ineligible for fertility-preserving surgery or who require adjuvant radiation therapy, current options include ovarian transposition and cryopreservation of oocytes or embryos but other techniques are under investigation.ConclusionToday, many cervical cancer survivors have successful pregnancies. For those with early-stage disease, minimally invasive and fertility sparing techniques have resulted in improved obstetrical outcomes without compromising oncologic safety. Results from three ongoing trials on non-radical surgery for low-risk tumors <2 cm will further inform the need for radical surgery in such patients. For those in whom natural childbearing is unachievable, advances in assisted reproductive technologies provide reproductive options. Despite our advances, the effects of cervical cancer survivorship on quality of life are not fully elucidated.

BackgroundPatients with recurrent clear cell ovarian cancer have poor prognosis and limited effective systemic treatment options.ObjectivesTo characterize patterns of recurrence and compare overall survival and post-recurrence survival parameters in patients with recurrent ovarian clear cell carcinoma.MethodsClinical data on patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma between June 1995 and August 2014 were collected. Patients with clear cell ovarian cancer recurrence were included in this study. Patients with different histologic sub-type, persistent or progressive disease on completion of the initial treatment were excluded. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariable analyses, and Kaplan-Meier survival probability estimates were completed. The log-rank test was used to quantify survival differences on univariable analysis. To search for significant covariates related to the overall survival and post-recurrence survival, a univariable Cox proportional hazard model was performed.ResultsA total of 209 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 61 (29%) patients who were free of disease at completion of the initial treatment had recurrence. Patterns of recurrence were as follows: 38 (62%) patients had multiple-site recurrence, 12 (20%) had single-site recurrence, and 11 (18%) had nodal recurrence only. The median overall survival was 44.7 months (95% CI 33.4 to 64.2) and was significantly associated with pattern of recurrence (p=0.005). The median post-recurrence survival was 18.4 months (95% CI 12.5 to 26.7): 54.4 months (95% CI 11 to 125.5) in single-site recurrence, 13.7 months (95% CI 6.8 to 16.5) in multiple-site recurrence, and 30.1 (95% CI 7.2 to 89) months in nodal recurrence (p=0.0002). In the multivariable analysis, pattern of recurrence was a predictor of post-recurrence survival.Six patients (9.8%) had a prolonged disease-free interval after recurrence (disease-free for more than 30 months after completion of treatment for recurrence). Prolonged recurrences were noted in 4 (33%) of 12 patients with single-site recurrence, 1 (9%) of 11 patients with nodal recurrence, and in 1 (2.7%) of 38 patients with multiple-site recurrence. Three of the six patients with a prolonged disease-free interval after recurrence were treated surgically at the time of recurrence.ConclusionOvarian clear cell carcinoma predominantly recurs in multiple sites and it is associated with a high mortality rate and short post-recurrence survival. When recurrences are limited to a single site, or only to lymph nodes, the median post-recurrence survival is longer. Disease-free interval after recurrence is longer in patients with single-site recurrence who are treated surgically at the time of recurrence.

Imaging has been disappointing in identifying small volume metastases. Sentinel lymph node biopsy represents a significant advantage with high sensitivity, low false negative rates, reduced morbidity, and equivalent survival in recent studies compared to pelvic lymphadenectomy. Non-radical surgical options are currently being investigated for early cervical cancer in a number of large prospective studies in patients at low risk for metastases. Evidence suggests that sentinel lymph node biopsy and non-radical surgery are safe approaches for the staging and management of early cervical cancer in appropriately selected patients with the potential to significantly reduce treatment-related morbidity.

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