Modern radiation therapy and potential fertility preservation strategies in patients with cervical cancer undergoing chemoradiation

Radiat Oncol. 2015 Feb 22:10:50. doi: 10.1186/s13014-015-0353-4.

Abstract

Young patients with cervical cancer who undergo chemoradiation might be interested in fertility preservation, not only dependent upon the use of a gestational carrier as maybe achieved by the use of ovarian transposition and cryo-conservation of oocytes or ovarian tissue, but may prefer to carry pregnancy to term after cancer treatment. The latter approach is a non-established concept needing both modern radiation therapy approaches as well as modifications -if at all possible- in current recommendations for target volume delineation to spare dose to the unaffected uterus. Future strategies to serve selected patients in this respect should only be conducted in prospective clinical evaluations and are critically discussed in this article.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chemoradiotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Fertility Preservation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / etiology
  • Infertility, Female / prevention & control*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prognosis
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / therapy*