[Fertility-sparing management of endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia]

Gynecol Obstet Fertil Senol. 2017 Feb;45(2):112-118. doi: 10.1016/j.gofs.2016.12.011. Epub 2017 Jan 26.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The fertility sparing management of endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia concern women in childbearing age with stage 1, grade 1, endometrioid adenocarcinoma confined to endometrium or atypical hyperplasia (simple or complex). These pathologies affecting more frequently postmenopausal women, the number of people involved is relatively low. The main risk factor is hyperestrogenism and these patients often present a history of infertility with a desire for pregnancy. The recommendations for this conservative management are scarce and unclear. The national observatory in the gynecology and obstetrics department of Bichat hospital gives expert advice to help doctors and patients concerned. We present a type of conservative management based on the expertise of the national observatory. Rigorous pre-therapeutic assessment must first be made to avoid missing a more advanced lesion. Hormone therapy is then started to obtain complete remission. In case of remission, fast achieving pregnancy is advised, and the use of assisted reproductive therapy is possible if necessary. Monitoring by hysteroscopy and histological examination is essential during the treatment. Hysterectomy is the last time the conservative management. It is motivated by the risk of recurrence and progression. The probability of remission after conservative treatment is estimated at 78.0 % at 12 months, the probability of recurrence at 29.2 % at 24 months, and the risk of progression at 15 % (stage 1A with myometrial invasion or more on the hysterectomy specimen). In terms of fertility, 32 % of women get at least one pregnancy.

Keywords: Atypical endometrial hyperplasia; Cancer and pregnancy; Cancer de l’endomètre; Cancer et grossesse; Conservative management; Endometrial cancer; Femmes jeunes; Fertility preservation; Hyperplasie atypique de l’endomètre; Oncofertility; Oncofertilité; Préservation de la fertilité; Traitement conservateur; Young women.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / therapy*
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / therapy*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Fertility Preservation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy
  • Remission Induction / methods

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal