Guide | Cervical Cancer and Fertility: Managing the Effects of Treatment
After a cervical cancer diagnosis, patients must consider both the stage and treatment options, as well as how future fertility may be preserved. Cancer stage and the specific treatment directly affect whether fertility preservation is possible. The following fertility-sparing treatments may be suitable.
Conization
If cancer is confined to a small area of the cervix, a doctor may recommend conization, also called a cone biopsy. Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. The doctor removes a cone-shaped section of the cervix containing the cancer and a margin of healthy tissue to help ensure complete removal.
Conization usually does not prevent future pregnancy, although patients may need to wait 6 to 12 months before trying to conceive. Structural changes or cervical scarring after surgery may increase the risk of miscarriage or infertility.
Simple or Radical Trachelectomy
For early cervical cancer in patients wishing to preserve fertility, a doctor may recommend simple or radical trachelectomy. Both remove more tissue than conization; a radical procedure may also remove surrounding tissue, the upper vagina, and nearby lymph nodes.
As with conization, patients are generally advised to wait 6 to 12 months before trying to conceive. Although the chance of pregnancy and full-term birth after surgery can be as high as 70%, pregnancy is considered high risk and delivery requires a cesarean section.
Egg or Embryo Freezing
If chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hysterectomy is recommended, patients may consider freezing eggs before treatment. Some chemotherapy medicines and radiation can damage eggs or the uterus, while hysterectomy removes the cervix and uterus.
Frozen eggs may be used after treatment through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Patients who retain their uterus may carry the pregnancy; otherwise, a gestational carrier is needed.
Pregnancy should be avoided during chemotherapy or radiotherapy and for at least 6 months after treatment.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
A cancer diagnosis and its fertility implications can cause emotional distress. Accurate information about treatment and prognosis is essential. Consider asking:
What stage is my cervical cancer?
What are my treatment options and their side effects? How will they affect my fertility?
Guide | Cervical Cancer and Fertility: Managing the Effects of Treatment
Guide | Cervical Cancer and Fertility: Managing the Effects of Treatment
After a cervical cancer diagnosis, patients must consider both the stage and treatment options, as well as how future fertility may be preserved. Cancer stage and the specific treatment directly affect whether fertility preservation is possible. The following fertility-sparing treatments may be suitable.
Conization
If cancer is confined to a small area of the cervix, a doctor may recommend conization, also called a cone biopsy. Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. The doctor removes a cone-shaped section of the cervix containing the cancer and a margin of healthy tissue to help ensure complete removal.
Conization usually does not prevent future pregnancy, although patients may need to wait 6 to 12 months before trying to conceive. Structural changes or cervical scarring after surgery may increase the risk of miscarriage or infertility.
Simple or Radical Trachelectomy
For early cervical cancer in patients wishing to preserve fertility, a doctor may recommend simple or radical trachelectomy. Both remove more tissue than conization; a radical procedure may also remove surrounding tissue, the upper vagina, and nearby lymph nodes.
As with conization, patients are generally advised to wait 6 to 12 months before trying to conceive. Although the chance of pregnancy and full-term birth after surgery can be as high as 70%, pregnancy is considered high risk and delivery requires a cesarean section.
Egg or Embryo Freezing
If chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hysterectomy is recommended, patients may consider freezing eggs before treatment. Some chemotherapy medicines and radiation can damage eggs or the uterus, while hysterectomy removes the cervix and uterus.
Frozen eggs may be used after treatment through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Patients who retain their uterus may carry the pregnancy; otherwise, a gestational carrier is needed.
Pregnancy should be avoided during chemotherapy or radiotherapy and for at least 6 months after treatment.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
A cancer diagnosis and its fertility implications can cause emotional distress. Accurate information about treatment and prognosis is essential. Consider asking:
What stage is my cervical cancer?
What are my treatment options and their side effects? How will they affect my fertility?
Should I stop having sex during treatment?
What contraception should I use?
What should I know before trying to conceive?
Source:
Collected online