Impact of obesity on the results of fertility-sparing management for atypical hyperplasia and grade 1 endometrial cancer

Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Apr;133(1):33-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.11.007.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of obesity on reproductive and oncologic outcomes on the success of fertility-sparing management.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study included women treated conservatively for atypical hyperplasia (AH) and endometrial cancer (EC) to preserve fertility. Five inclusion criteria were defined: (i) the presence of AH or grade 1 EC confirmed by two pathologists; (ii) adequate radiological examination before conservative management; (iii) available body mass index (BMI) at the beginning of treatment; and (iv) a minimum follow-up time of six months.

Results: Forty patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (17 had EC, and 23 had AH), mean age and BMI were 33 years and 29kg/m(2) respectively. Among the 15 obese patients, after medical treatment, 10 patients responded (67%) and three relapsed, whereas in the 25 non-obese patients, 19 responded (76%) and three relapsed (p=0.72). The overall pregnancy rate and follow-up time were 35% and 35 months respectively. Among the 15 obese patients, after medical treatment, two patients became pregnant, whereas in the 25 non-obese patients, 12 became pregnant (p=0.04).

Conclusion: Despite similar response and recurrence rates, our results suggest that fertility-sparing management for AH and EC is associated with a lower probability of pregnancy in obese patients.

Keywords: Endometrial adenocarcinoma; Endometrial atypical hyperplasia; Fertility-sparing management; Obesity.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / complications
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / therapy*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / complications
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Fertility Preservation / methods*
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / agonists*
  • Humans
  • Hysteroscopy
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Organ Sparing Treatments / methods*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Progestins / therapeutic use*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Progestins
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone