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Fertility Sparing and Gynecologic Cancers

If you are of childbearing age, have been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, and are interested in having children, please talk to your doctor about fertility sparing measures. 

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Fertility sparing may include (but is not limited to) these methods:

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  • For cervical cancer: If the main treatment is surgery, options can include removal of part of the cervix (cone) or all of the cervix (trachelectomy), while leaving the uterus in place. If the main treatment is radiation, fertility-sparing surgery can include repositioning the ovaries out of the path of the radiation so that the ovaries can continue to function (which preserves the opportunity for later egg retrieval and in vitro fertilization).

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  • For early-stage endometrial cancer with a low grade (low aggressiveness of the tumor): Fertility-preserving treatments can include hormone-only treatment without removing any of the gynecologic organs, or can include removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) while leaving the ovaries in place.

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  • For ovarian cancer: Fertility-sparing treatment options depend on which type of ovarian cancer the patient has. In many cases, these surgeries can remove only one ovary, while preserving the other ovary and the uterus.

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Only your doctor will know what might be right for you and your unique situation. 

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References:

National Institutes of Health

Oncology Times

Cancer Support Community

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