A total endoscopic levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) placement: a novel approach for obese patients with early-stage endometrial cancer.

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Endometrioid adenocarcinoma is a common endometrial cancer, linked to excess oestrogen exposure. Obesity, a major risk factor, can lead to unopposed oestrogen and endometrial cancer. Surgery is the standard treatment for early-stage disease. However, obese patients with a high body mass index (BMI) may be unsuitable due to surgical risks. We present a novel completely endoscopic technique for placing a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in an obese patient with early-stage endometrioid adenocarcinoma (FIGO 2009 stage IA, grade 1) who was not a surgical candidate due to multiple comorbidities. An 82-year-old obese woman (BMI: 48.9 kg/m2) with abnormal uterine bleeding was referred to our gynaecological department. Endometrial thickening, without spread beyond the uterus, was observed by transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, and final diagnosis of early stage endometrioid adenocarcinoma was confirmed by hysteroscopic endometrial biopsy. Due to her high-risk status and anatomical challenges, initial management involved oral medication and regular biopsies. After a year of presence of a stable disease, a new technique for LNG-IUS placement was attempted. The LNG-IUS was successfully placed within the uterine cavity using a 5 mm XL Bettocchi hysteroscope and a 5 Fr grasping forceps, without needing vaginal speculum or cervical grasping. The patient tolerated the procedure well. Follow-up at six months was negative, without signs of recurrence. This case demonstrates the feasibility and safety of a total endoscopic LNG-IUS placement as an alternative for obese patients with early-stage endometrioid adenocarcinoma who are not surgical candidates. This is the first description of a total endoscopic technique for LNG-IUS placement performed without speculum or anesthesia.