Fertility-preserving Surgery Research Articles

Borderline tumours of the ovary: A 37-year experience at a tertiary referral centre.

Borderline ovarian tumours (BOT) are a common epithelial ovarian tumours. Typically diagnosed at an early stage with a good prognosis, many BOT are treated conservatively. Recurrence is common. This update to our last audit in 1997 represents one of the largest audits of BOT to date. All patients with BOT managed at 'the hospital' from 1984 to 2021 were included. Expert pathology review was available. There were 549 cases included. The recurrence rate was 5% (n = 29/549) with 1.4% (n = 8/549) undergoing malignant transformation. Three of the eight women who recurred as cancer died from their disease. Frozen section was predictive of histologic diagnosis in 92% (n = 55/60) of serous tumours (SBOT), but only 62% (n = 54/87) of mucinous tumours (MBOT). In MBOT where the appendix appeared normal intra-operatively, it was histologically benign in all cases (n = 63). In SBOT, the recurrence rate was 5/23 (22%), 12/52 (23%), 1/29 (3%) and 3% (P = <0.01) for unilateral cystectomy, unilateral oophorectomy ± cystectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, and bilateral oophorectomy with hysterectomy, respectively, as index procedure. In MBOT this correlated to 2/20 (10%), 3/93 (3%), 0 and 1/58 (2%), respectively. This study describes important information correlating first surgical procedure and fertility-sparing surgery to recurrence and malignant transformation. For all BOT subtypes, fertility-preserving surgery increased the risk of recurrence and hysterectomy was not superior to removal of both ovaries. In MBOT, frozen section is of limited utility and the macroscopically normal appendix is very unlikely to be anything but benign, if MBOT is the true histologic diagnosis.

Pregnancy after advanced ovarian cancer with spontaneous uterine rupture in second trimester: A case report and review of the literature.

Fertility-preserving surgery (FPS) in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) is extremely rare and consequently, information about the pregnancies of these patients is anecdotal. Therefore, management of the pregnancy after AOC is challenging, especially if an unexpected situation arises. A 31-year-old nulliparous woman was admitted to our tertiary hospital in the 18th week of twin pregnancy with sudden severe abdominal pain. Her medical history included a low-grade AOC stage IIIc diagnosed 2 years before pregnancy and treated by debulking FPS and systemic therapy with carboplatin/paclitaxel and bevacizumab. Clinical examination described normal vital signs and peritoneal irritation without any vaginal discharge. Sonography revealed free fluid in the pouch of Douglas and intact twin pregnancy. Laboratory work showed elevated leukocytes with neutrophilia. To evaluate appendicitis magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen was indicated. This revealed a uterine rupture with the now extra-cavitary position of the twins. Simultaneously, the patient's symptoms deteriorated, and emergency surgery was necessary where hemoperitoneum with avital fetuses were present. Despite excessive blood loss the uterus could be repaired and preserved. Previous resection of the uterine serosa during her debulking FPS, administration of bevacizumab affecting smooth muscles, and overstretching the uterus in the twin pregnancy were considered as possible risk factors for the presenting uterine rupture. Pregnancy after AOC is possible but should be monitored closely, especially due to the hidden long-term consequences of its therapy. In the differential diagnosis of sudden abdominal pain during pregnancy uterine rupture should be considered even in patients with an unscared uterus.

Fertility preservation service for children and young adults at high risk of infertility; the hub and spoke model

PurposeTo evaluate the evolution of fertility preservation surgery in children and young adults at high risk of infertility from a single centre to a networked ‘Hub and Spoke’ service.MethodsA case note review of patients referred for ovarian or testicular cryopreservation between Jan 2013 and Dec 2023. Demographic data, procurement numbers, and site of procurement were collected. Specialist feedback was obtained to identify the challenges faced.ResultsOver time, the number of referrals increased from 4 to 349 patients per year with the number of Spoke centres rising to 36 ovarian and 16 testicular. In 2013–2014; 100% of procurement was ovarian as compared to 2023; 51% ovarian, 49% testicular. Of the 395 referrals in 2021, 81% (n = 319) went on to have procurement and storage of tissue. Between 2013 and 2016, 96% of cases were performed at the Hub. In 2023, 53/349 (15%) cases were performed at the Hub with the remaining 296 (85%) procured at Spoke sites. Surgical issues such as access to theatre, variation and availability of surgical equipment, thermal injury to ovarian tissue and variation in the size of the testicular specimen were identified.ConclusionThe Hub and Spoke model successfully delivers treatment to patients close to home as safely possible within their local treatment centre.

Unsolved Issues in the Integrated Histo-Molecular Classification of Endometrial Carcinoma and Therapeutic Implications.

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most frequent gynecological cancer, with an increasing incidence and mortality in recent times. The last decade has represented a true revolution with the development of the integrated histo-molecular classification of EC, which allows for the stratification of patients with morphologically indistinguishable disease into groups with different prognoses. Particularly, the POLE-mutated subgroup exhibits outstanding survival. Nevertheless, the indiscriminate application of molecular classification appears premature. Its prognostic significance has been proven mainly in endometrioid EC, the most common histotype, but it has yet to be convincingly confirmed in the other minor histotypes, which indeed account for a relevant proportion of EC mortality. Moreover, its daily use both requires a mindful pathologist who is able to correctly evaluate and unambiguously report immunohistochemical staining used as a surrogated diagnostic tool and is hampered by the unavailability of POLE mutation analysis. Further molecular characterization of ECs is needed to allow for the identification of better-tailored therapies in different settings, as well as the safe avoidance of surgery for fertility preservation. Hopefully, the numerous ongoing clinical trials in the adjuvant and metastatic settings of EC will likely produce evidence to refine the histo-molecular classification and therapeutic guidelines. Our review aims to retrace the origin and evolution of the molecular classification for EC, reveal its strengths and limitations, show clinical relevance, and uncover the desired future developments.

O-061 Ovarian cancer and fertility - current understanding

Abstract Introduction Ovarian cancer is a significant health concern worldwide and is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. While fertility preservation is essential for many young women diagnosed with cancer, concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact of fertility treatments on the risk of ovarian cancer development. 1. Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors Ovarian cancer is a multifactorial disease with various risk factors contributing to its development. A woman has a risk of 1 in 78 of having ovarian cancer in her life time, risk factors include: • Age: Ovarian cancer risk increases with age, with the highest incidence observed in women over 50 years old. About 12.1% of Ovarian Cancer patients are younger than 44 years old. • Family History: Women with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, especially first-degree relatives, have an increased risk. • BRCA Mutations: Inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly elevate the risk of ovarian cancer. • Reproductive Factors: Factors such as nulliparity, early menarche, late menopause, and infertility have been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. 2. Fertility Treatments and Ovarian Cancer Risk Understanding the mechanisms underlying ovarian cancer development is crucial for assessing the potential impact of fertility treatments : • Ovulation Hypothesis: The repeated ovulation theory suggests that each ovulatory cycle increases the risk of DNA damage to ovarian epithelial cells, potentially leading to cancer development. The use of fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation, such as clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins, has been studied , the early studies suggested a potential increased risk, more recent evidence has been conflicting, with some studies reporting no association. • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Several large-scale studies have investigated the relationship between IVF and ovarian cancer risk found no significant increase in ovarian cancer risk . • Hormonal Influence: Fertility drugs alter hormonal levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, which may influence ovarian cancer risk. • Selection Bias: Some studies have suggested that the ovarian cancer risk may be confounded by underlying infertility factors rather than the treatments themselves. 3. Clinical Implications and Recommendations • Individual Risk Assessment: Clinicians should assess each patient's individual risk factors for ovarian cancer, including age, family history, and reproductive history, before initiating fertility treatments. • Informed Consent: Patients should be provided with comprehensive information regarding the potential risks and benefits of fertility treatments • Regular Surveillance: Women undergoing fertility treatments should receive regular gynecologic screenings and follow-up care to monitor for any signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer. • Shared Decision Making: Shared decision making between patients and healthcare providers is essential to ensure that treatment decisions align with patients' preferences and values. 4. Fertility Preservation Options • Most therapeutic options for Ovarian Cancer cause infertility, either by premature ovarian failure caused by cytotoxic agents in chemotherapy or surgical approaches that include unilateral or bilateral oophorectomy • In ovarian cancer patients, Oocyte cryopreservation is still the best option and the only one established along with embryo cryopreservation. Fertility preservation surgery can be suggested depending on histology, stage of disease and pre-existing ovarian reserve. • Ovarian tissue cryopreservation will not be an option as long as the risk of reseeding cancer cells is not fully eliminated. 5. Future Directions Advancements in molecular biology and genetics may shed light on the underlying mechanisms of ovarian cancer development and its potential association with fertility treatments. The artificial ovary and in vitro maturation of oocytes is a very attractive option in these patients, but further milestones have to be achieved

The Update on the Role of Cesarean Myomectomy in an Old Primigravida with Huge and Painful Myoma: a Challenging Case for Fertility-Preserving Surgery

Abstract There is no established protocol for reducing maternal and perinatal morbidities in myoma during pregnancy. The opinions regarding performing myomectomy during cesarean section have been inconsistent and hot topic of discussion. The recent trends regarding the pro and cons outcomes are caused by potential risk of massive hemorrhage, repeat operation and anesthesia, less time away from work, prolong duration of operation and hospital stay, need of transfusion, increased overall cost, and morbidity. We presented a case of 42-year-old primigravida at 37-38 weeks of singleton live pregnancy with intramural myoma, and then performed successfully cesarean section and myomectomy without complication. The results of the operation showed a safe outcome when performed by an experienced obstetrician and selective case, and helped maintain fertility sparing in the future. Keywords: Uterine myoma, Cesarean myomectomy, Old primigravida

Nongestational ovarian choriocarcinoma with bilateral teratoma: A rare case report and literature review.

Trophoblastic neoplasms are often associated with pregnancy, and nongestational trophoblastic neoplasms are extremely rare. Nongestational ovarian choriocarcinoma (NGCO) is a highly aggressive germ cell-derived tumor frequently presenting with early hematogenous metastasis. Herein, we report a case of a 28-year-old unmarried woman with regular menstruation who experienced vaginal bleeding 1 week after her last menstrual cycle. Doppler ultrasound revealed bilateral adnexal masses and elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. The patient was initially misdiagnosed as presenting an ectopic pregnancy. The final pathology confirmed an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA NGCO with bilateral mature teratoma of the ovary. This is an extraordinary instance of ovarian choriocarcinoma which emerged without any prior gestation, and the patient's lack of a history of pregnancy made the diagnosis ignored. After initial surgery and 1 cycle of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy, a laparoscopic fertility-preserving comprehensive staging surgery was performed. Two cycles of chemotherapy with BEP were administered as supplemental therapy postsurgery, and leuprorelin was administered to protect ovarian function. Menstruation resumed 4 months after chemotherapy completion, and tumor indicators were within the normal range. No signs of recurrence were observed at the 36-month follow-up. NGCO should be considered if a female patient exhibits irregular vaginal bleeding and masses in the adnexal area. The present case and our literature review also highlighted that fertility-sparing surgery and multidrug chemotherapy are effective methods for treating NGCO.

Clinical and pathological characteristics of cervical clear cell carcinoma in patients not exposed to diethylstilbestrol: a comprehensive analysis of 49 cases.

This study aimed to investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics, treatment strategies, and prognosis of cervical clear cell carcinoma (CCCC) in patients not exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero. The patients diagnosed with CCCC at West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University between January 2011 and Jun 2023 were enrolled for this retrospective study. The clinical characteristics and information on treatment and follow-up were collected. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were performed to identify the relative variables for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Of the 49 patients included, the Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) (2018) stage distribution was 37 (75.5%) stage I, 6 (12.2%) stage II, and 6 (12.2%) stage III. The median follow-up interval was 24.1 months. Six (12.2%) patients had a recurrence, and five (10.2%) patients died. The 5-year PFS rate was 86.8%, and the 5-year OS rate was 88.2%. No recurrence or death was detected in two patients who successfully completed fertility-preserving treatment and seven patients who underwent surgery to preserve ovaries. Two patients became pregnant, giving birth to two babies. The univariate analysis showed that FIGO stage, Pelvic lymph node (PLN) metastasis, lymph vascular space invasion, and depth of stromal invasion (P < 0.05) were significantly associated with PFS and OS. However, no significant prognostic factors were identified in the multivariate analysis. Ovary-preserving treatment and fertility-preserving surgery are safe and feasible in early-stage CCCC. Surveillance other than adjuvant treatment may be a better choice for early-stage CCCC without any pathological risk factors. More targeted therapies and immunotherapy should be pursued in future studies.

Ultrasonographic and clinicopathological features of pelvic yolk sac tumors in women: a single-center retrospective analysis.

Yolk sac tumors (YSTs) are rare and highly malignant ovarian malignancies that have a very poor prognosis. The aim of this study is to delineate the ultrasound and clinicopathological features of female pelvic YSTs to better understand the disease. This study was a retrospective analysis of the clinicopathological and ultrasound imaging data from 16 YST patients who received treatment at our hospital between January 2012 and August 2023. Then, the ultrasound imaging characteristics were compared with pathological findings. Among the 16 patients, various degrees of serum AFP increase were observed, and CA125 levels increased in 58.33% (7 out of 12) of patients. Thirteen patients (81.25%) had tumors located in ovary, two patients (12.5%) had tumors located in the sacrococcygeal region, and one patient (6.25%) had tumors located in the mesentery. Pathologically, nine patients presented with simple yolk sac tumors and seven with mixed germ cell tumors. According to the ultrasound manifestations, YST lesions can be classified into three types. (1) the cystic type, was diagnosed in two patients who presented with a large cystic mass with regular morphology and clear boundary and dense liquid within the cyst; and (2) the cystic-solid mixed type, was diagnosed in 4 patients. On 2D ultrasound, the lesions showed a cystic-solid mixed echo, and color Doppler showed a rich blood flow signal in the solid region and cystic separation. made up of four cases. (3) In ten patients with the solid type, 2D ultrasound showed solid uniform echoes with clear boundaries. The "fissure sign" was observed in the lesion. Color Doppler displayed rich blood flow in the solid part, and PW showed low to moderate resistance index of artery (RI:0.21-0.63). On contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), rapid and high enhancement in the solid part and cystic separation was observed in 2 patients. Combining ultrasound features with clinical information and tumor markers provides reliable clues for the diagnosis of YST. The application of two-dimensional ultrasound and CEUS combined with patient tumor marker levels can provide a robust reference for determining the necessity of fertility-preserving surgery and postoperative chemotherapy, which can improve clinical decision-making and patient consultation.

The influence of radical trachelectomy on endometrial thickness in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

Both morbidity and mortality rates of cervical cancer are increasing, especially in reproductive-aged women. Radical trachelectomy (RT) is an effective fertility-preserving surgery for early-stage cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the influence of RT on endometrial thickness during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Forty-four patients had undergone RT, and 23 women undergoing IVF-ET treatment (105 ET cycles) were included. Endometrial thickness during hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was retrospectively evaluated and compared between patients with and without RT. Eleven patients (50 ET cycles) in the RT group and 12 (52 ET cycles) in the control group were investigated. Compared with the control group, higher ET cancellation rates were observed in patients in the RT group (1 of 52 cycles [control group] vs. 8 of 50 cycles [RT group], p < 0.01). Endometrial thinning was not affected by patient age at first IVF-ET treatment, history of artificial abortion, preservation of uterine arteries during RT, or postoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.27, 1, 1, and 1, respectively). Our data revealed that RT influenced endometrial thickness in IVF-ET. This was not affected by the background of the patients or perioperative management in this study. We could not reveal the underlying mechanism, but it is postulated that the transient postoperative uterine blood flow status and postoperative infections may have some effect on the endometrium. To resolve these issues, accumulation of evidences are required. We recommend informing patients about the impact of RT on IVF-ET before starting assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Oncologic and Fertility Outcomes After Simple Trachelectomy in Women With Early Cervical Cancer

Study Objectiveto present our case series of patients with early-stage cervical cancer undergoing simple trachelectomy. Currently, radical trachelectomy is considered the most appropriate fertility preserving procedure for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer. However, there is increasing debate on the appropriate radicality of the surgery in order to preserve oncologic safety. Designdescriptive retrospective analysis of patient records and evaluation of questionaires Settingtwo gynecologic oncologic centers, surgeries performed by one surgical team Patients36 women with early-stage cervical cancer undergoing simple trachelectomy Interventionslaparoscopic assisted simple vaginal trachelectomy MeasurementsDemographic, histological, fertility and follow-up data of all patients who underwent simple trachelectomy between 04/2007 and 7/2021 were prospectively recorded and retrospectively analyzed. Main Results36 women (mean age: 28 years) underwent simple trachelectomy of whom 81% were nulliparous. Indications for simple trachelectomy were multifocal FIGO stage IA1 (n=30), stage IA1 L1 (n=1), stage IA2 (n=2) and stage IB1 (n=3), respectively. Mandatory staging-procedure was laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, including bilateral sentinel-biopsy in 92% of the cases and systematic in 8%. Residual tumor was histologically confirmed in 8 specimens (22%). 18 women (50%) were seeking parenthood, 13 succeeded (72%). There were 16 live births, all on term, with a median fetal weight of 3110 (2330-4420) gram. One patient had a medical abortion due to fetal congenital malformation. One pregnancy is ongoing. After a median follow-up of 91.5 (9-174) months all women are alive with no evidence of disease. ConclusionSimple trachelectomy represents a de-escalation compared to radical trachelectomy and provides excellent oncologic results with an outstanding fertility rate and obstetrical outcome for patients with early cervical cancer. However, clear indications for this tailored fertility-preserving surgery have to be defined in well-designed trials.

Management of borderline ovarian tumors: A retrospective study in Northern Greece

Introduction: Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are tumors of low malignant potential commonly presented in women of reproductive age. Their incidence has been increasing over the years and issues regarding fertility preservation are very crucial. Material and methods: This was a retrospective cohort study including all cases of BOTs diagnosed and surgically treated, during a 12-year period (2010 – 2022) at the Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare age, parity, serum Ca-125 and maximum dimensions of the tumors between the patients treated radically and those treated conservatively. The Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical variables between the groups with radical versus conservative surgery. Results: In total, 34 cases were managed during the study period with a median follow-up of 114.5 months. The mean age was 50 years, the median parity was 2, the median of Ca-125 was 20.6 U/ml and the median of the maximum dimensions of the tumors was 10 cm. Laparotomy was performed in 82.4% of the cases. In 29.4% of cases, the BOT was bilateral. There was no case with residual disease, the majority were serous tumors at stage I. The mean age (53.9 vs 32.2, p-value&lt;0.001), the median parity (2 vs 1, p-value=0.009) and the median serum Ca-125 (21.1 vs 13, p-value=0.046) were significantly higher in women who underwent radical surgery than those with conservative surgery. The recurrence rate was 2.9%. Conclusion: A favorable long-term prognosis was observed in women diagnosed with BOTs, without any tumor-related deaths. Conservative surgery for fertility preservation may appear as beneficial.

Does controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women with a history of borderline tumor influence recurrence rate?

PurposeTo determine the recurrence rate in the women with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation after a history of borderline ovarian tumors (BOT).MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 275 patients with BOT undergoing surgery for fertility preservation in our hospital between 2001 and 2017. Cases were divided into an assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment group (n = 15) and a non-ART treatment group (n = 260). We compared the recurrence rate, survival rate and pregnancy outcomes between these two groups.ResultsThe ART group had a higher recurrence rate (33.33% vs. 10.80%, P = 0.023). Survival analysis indicated that the recurrence time in patients undergoing ART was significantly shorter (P = 0.026). A low pregnancy rate before diagnosis, and high intraoperative blood loss, were associated with postoperative ART treatment (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that ART treatment and bilateral lesions both significantly increased the risk of recurrence (P < 0.05). The pathological type of recurrent tumors was often the same as the initial tumor.ConclusionThe postoperative use of ART in patients with BOT significantly increased the recurrence rate, but does not significantly affect the overall survival rate of patients. Therefore, ART in such patients should be individualized, and close follow-up is necessary after ART.

Outcome of uterine functional structures protection by fertility preservative PUSH surgery in diffuse adenomyosis

This study reports the outcomes of an innovative fertility-preserving surgery for the treatment of diffuse adenomyosis that is known as a surgery for protection of uterine structure for healing (PUSH Surgery). Developed at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, PUSH Surgery aims to achieve radical excision of adenomyotic lesions by reconstructing the uterus with overlapping muscle flaps to promote optimal healing of the uterine wall and reduce the risk of scar rupture in subsequent pregnancies. PUSH Surgery was performed on 146 patients with diffuse adenomyosis, with uteri measuring from 8 to 16 gestational weeks and an average volume of 230 ± 150cm³. Regular follow-up was conducted for up to 156 months, revealing a significant reduction in VAS pain scores from 9.4 ± 1.2 before the surgery to 0.3 ± 0.8 and 0.6 ± 1.0 at 1 and 2 years post-surgery, respectively, with a continuous alleviation rate of 96.4% after the operations. Notably, 100% of patients with severe menorrhagia reported normal menstruation volumes within 2 years. Additionally, 31 patients attempted to conceive, resulting in a 58% postoperative pregnancy rate and a 60.0% intrauterine live embryo rate. Operation-related complications occurred in 2.7% of patients, with a 3.6% recurrence rate after more than 2 years of follow-up. Importantly, no cases of uterine rupture or severe complications were observed in the pregnant patients. In conclusion, PUSH Surgery offers a promising approach for the radical excision of adenomyotic lesions, promoting improved tissue healing and significant symptom relief.

Decreased pregnancy rate per embryo transfer in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology after abdominal trachelectomy: A retrospective study

ObjectiveAbdominal trachelectomy (AT) is a fertility-preservation surgery for patients with early-stage cervical cancer. Few studies have reported the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in patients after AT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of ART after AT. Study DesignIn this retrospective study, we compared the ART outcomes of 13 patients who underwent AT at another hospital prior to undergoing ART at our clinic (T group) and 52 control patients (non-T group) who did not undergo AT prior to ART, selected on the basis of age, time of treatment onset, and serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations, matched 1:4, respectively. ResultsCumulative live birth rates were 62% (8/13) and 65% (34/52) in the T and non-T groups, respectively (p = 0.795). The total number of oocyte retrieval cycles was 34 in the T group and 95 in the non-T group. In all oocyte retrieval cycles, no significant differences were noted in the number of oocyte retrievals, rate of fertilization, and presence of good-quality blastocysts (Gardner classification ≥ BB). The total number of embryo transfer (ET) cycles was 55 in the T group and 109 in the non-T group. The pregnancy and live birth rates per ET were lower in the T group than those in the non-T group (pregnancy rate, 20% vs. 39%, p = 0.017; live birth rate, 15% vs. 30%, p = 0.028; respectively). Endometrial thickness before ET was lower in the T group vs. the non-T group: median (range): 7.4 (3.5–14.3) mm vs. 9.0 (5.5–14.9) mm, respectively; p < 0.0001. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that age at oocyte retrieval (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66–0.87), use of good-quality blastocysts (adjusted OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.20–8.67), and history of AT (adjusted OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.11–0.72) were associated with the pregnancy rate per ET. ConclusionThe pregnancy rate per ET was lower in patients with vs. without a history of AT. Clinicians should be aware of the longer time to pregnancy in patients who undergo ART after AT.

Efficacy and safety of different subsequent therapies after fertility preserving surgery for endometriosis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Endometriosis (EMT) is a benign and common estrogen-dependent disease. Hormonal therapy improves pain symptoms in most women with EMT. However, in many cases, laparoscopic fertility preservation surgery is considered a common treatment for EMT. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dienogest, leuprolide, danazol, gestrinone, mifepristone and levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in relieving symptoms and delaying the recurrence of EMT cysts after fertility protection surgery. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database, China Biology Medicine disc, WanFang Data databases to collect randomized controlled trials (RCT) related to dienogest, leuprolide, danazol, gestrinone, mifepristone and LNG-IUS as a follow-up treatment after fertility preserving surgery for EMT. After literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation, effective rate, recurrence rate, pregnancy rate and adverse reaction rate were used as outcome indicators to evaluate the efficacy and safety of drugs. Evidence networks included in the study were drawn and publication bias was assessed. The drugs most likely to be the best postoperative treatment were explored through mixed comparison of different drugs and efficacy ranking. Effective rate: dienogest, leprerelin, gestrinone and LNG-IUS were better than placebo after EMT fertility preservation surgery; dienogest was superior to mifepristone and danazol. LNG-IUS is superior to danazol. LNG-IUS has the highest potential for improving the effectiveness of EMT symptoms. Recurrence rate: the application of dienogest, leuprolide, gestrinone, mifepristone and LNG-IUS after EMT fertility preservation surgery was lower than that of placebo; dienogest and LNG-IUS were lower than danazol. The recurrence rate of dinorgestrel was the last place with the highest performance. Pregnancy rate: in the cases with fertility requirements, dienogest and,leuprolide were better than placebo after EMT fertility preservation surgery; dienogest was superior to danazol, gestrinone and mifepristone. Leuprolide is superior to danazol and gestrinone. The first rank of dienogest pregnancy rate was the highest. Adverse reaction rate: the application of dienogest, leuprolide, danazol, gestrinone, mifepristone and LNG-IUS after EMT fertility preservation surgery was higher than that of placebo. After placebo, LNG-IUS had the highest adverse reaction rate. For patients after fertility preserving surgery for EMT, the recurrence rate of dienogest was the last place with highest preference. The first rank of dienogest pregnancy was the highest.

Conservative treatment of borderline ovarian tumors: a retrospective study.

Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are a group of tumors with histological aspects and intermediate biological evolution between benign and malignant tumors, characterized by epithelial proliferation, lack of stromal invasion and nuclear atypia. BOTs account for approximately 10-15% of epithelial ovarian carcinomas. The interest in fertility preservation is very important as most BOTs are diagnosed in patients less than 40 years of age. Since borderline tumors occur in young, fertile women, the therapeutic approach depends on both staging and the need to preserve ovarian function and fertility. Treatment of BOT is primarily surgical, but recently fertility-preserving surgery has become more important. If infertility persists, ovarian induction or in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be suggested in selected cases.

“Coming home to my body”: A qualitative exploration of gender-affirming care-seeking and mental health

Introduction: Among transgender, non-binary, and/or gender expansive (TNG) persons, interest in medical and/or surgical forms of gender affirmation is heterogenous, as is access to those forms of medically necessary health care. Yet, the literature characterizing TNG persons’ interest in medical and/or surgical gender-affirming care, barriers to accessing that care, and how societal narratives and expectations impact TNG individuals’ self-image and mental health, as well as their personal choices regarding gender-affirming care remains sparse. Here we present qualitative research exploring TNG participants’ interest in gender-affirming care and how such interventions impact identity formation. Method: We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with a convenience sample of 54 TNG persons in the U.S. and Canada from Facebook pages used to recruit TNG research participants. One-hour interviews were conducted by an openly TNG researcher; participants were compensated. Results: The most frequently sought gender-affirming care was hormone therapy, followed by chest (“top”) surgery, genital (“bottom”) surgery, electrolysis, breast augmentation, hysterectomy, and voice training. Less commonly desired interventions included fertility preservation, facial feminization/masculinization, and vocal surgery. Participants described four main categories of access barriers: financial (e.g., cost of medical/surgical care, inadequate insurance), logistical (e.g., no local providers, gatekeeping policies around body size and mental health, pandemic-related delays), personal fears about sub-optimal outcomes (e.g., complications, loss of sensation, undesired esthetic and/or functional results), and societal discrimination (e.g., familial rejection, job loss, safety concerns). Participants reported primarily seeking this healthcare for social legibility, alleviating dysphoria/pursuing euphoria, and/ or gender exploration. All who sought gender-affirming care reported improved mental health—including depression, anxiety, dissociation, and eating disorders—and social relationships, though many struggled to find TNG-competent mental health providers. Conclusion: This work provides key insights into how gender-affirming care can contribute to improving mental health for TNG communities, which will assist health providers in optimally treating TNG patients.

Pregnant Women With Malignant Ovarian Tumors: A Case Series

Ovarian cancer management during pregnancy is a topic of limited research due to low occurrence rates of malignant adnexal tumors. To shed further light on this issue, we present a case series of 22 pregnant ovarian cancer patients referred to an academic hospital's gynecology oncology department over six years. Data on each patient's demographic and clinical background were collected using a registry software recording surgical tumor staging, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). According to the data analysis reports, subtype epithelial tumor and germ cell pathology were equally 45.4%. However, sex-cord tumors were observed in a smaller percentage of cases (9.1%). Serous adenocarcinoma was the most common subtype among those with epithelial tumors (60%). Meanwhile, 72.7% of these pregnant women had a palpable mass in physical examination. In addition, adnexal mass was detected in 95.4% of ultrasonography. Due to the young age of the patients, fertility-preserving surgery was performed on 63.6% of patients, and chemotherapy was prescripted on 59% of patients. Over a six-year follow-up period, there was a recurrence rate of 22.7%, while DFS and OS were reported as 56% and 82%, respectively. In conclusion, treatment of ovarian malignancies during pregnancy requires an experienced multidisciplinary approach. However, more extensive studies with larger samples are needed to gain more insight into the treatment of ovarian cancer during pregnancy.

Assessing providers’ views and needs in paediatric fertility preservation surgery

Assessing providers’ views and needs in paediatric fertility preservation surgery