Metachronous Ovarian Cancer after a Radical Hysterectomy with Ovarian Conservation for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common disease in women worldwide and the leading cause in Tanzania, with 9,772 new cases and 6,695 deaths annually. Surgery is better than radiation or chemotherapy for early-stage cervical cancer (stages IA2–IIA1). Due to the risks of oophorectomy in young women, ovarian conservation is crucial. Metachronous ovarian cancer is understudied, however, ovarian conservation does not enhance cervical cancer mortality. Clinical presentation: We report a rare case of recurrent metachronous ovarian cancer in a 42-year-old female, Para 3, Living 3, who had her ovaries conserved following a radical hysterectomy and bilateral lymph node dissection for stage IB2 cervical cancer at 37 years old in April 2017. The final biopsy showed a well-differentiated, invasive cervical adenocarcinoma. Stage IV ovarian cancer with significant ascites and pleural effusion was detected in July 2018, 14 months post-surgery. Six chemotherapy treatments and total tumor debulking succeeded. Despite the most effective cytoreduction surgery, the patient experienced two further recurrences in 2020 and 2022. After additional surgeries and chemotherapy, she is currently in complete remission and will be followed up. Conclusion: Young women undergoing radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer must preserve their ovaries, but metachronous ovarian cancer is a risk. Thus, metachronous ovarian cancer risks, challenges, and outcomes must be understood.