Fertility-Sparing Surgery Should Be the Standard Treatment in Patients with Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors

Abstract

To validate the oncological safety of fertility preservation in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCTs) and to define the significance of maximal cytoreduction in early stage MOGCTs. Sixty-nine patients with stage I and II MOGCTs who underwent surgical treatment were included in the study. Fertility-sparing surgery is defined as conservative surgery and hysterectomy and contralateral salpingo-oophorectomy were defined as definitive surgery. Both surgical approaches involved lymphadenectomy and omentectomy. Most patients received platinum-based combinations for adjuvant therapy. Survival outcomes of the conservative surgery group were compared with the definitive surgery group. Median age of the study group was 21 years (range: 12-40 years). Median tumor size measured 150 mm (range, 20-300 mm). Surgery type (conservative surgery vs. definitive surgery) and lymphadenectomy (performed vs. not performed) were insignificant for the recurrence (p = 0.758, p = 0.271). However, surgical outcome (maximal vs. optimal and suboptimal) and type of tumor (dysgerminoma vs. nondysgerminoma) determined the recurrence (p = 0.001, p = 0.021). Fertility-conserving approach is safe in early stage MOGCTs. However, maximal cytoreduction should be achieved in this group of patients, without conceding fertility-conserving approach. On the other hand, development of chemotherapy options with less gonadotoxic effects, but equal or stronger efficiency in comparison with platinum-based chemotherapy, will certainly facilitate management of this patient group.