Fertility preservation in gynecologic cancer

Subject. Management of patients with gynecologic cancer can now often be ta ilored to the extent of the disease and preservation of child-bearing abili ty and/or sexual function may be possible for certain women with early inva sive disease. Method. A better understanding of the tumor-biology, and the consideration of different clinicopathologic factors, that bear prognostic significance i n therapeutic modalities, will allow more and more individualization of tre atment. Discussion. Management of young women with early gynecologic cancer should therefore be individualized with the risk of conservative therapy balanced against the dangers and advantages of more radical therapy. Experts in gyne cologic oncology and infertility together with an informed patient and her family should make treatment decisions. Outcome. This article will review the conservative surgical management of e arly invasive cancers of the ovary, cervix and endometrium, in order to hel p preserve child-bearing capacity. In addition, management of gynecologic c ancers diagnosed during pregnancy will also be discussed.