Evolution in fertility-preserving options for early-stage cervical cancer: radical trachelectomy, simple...

Fertility preservation is of paramount importance for young women diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer. The radical trachelectomy procedure was developed to preserve uterine/reproductive function. The procedure has evolved significantly over the last 25 years. This review focuses on the various surgical techniques (vaginal, abdominal, laparoscopic, and robotic), highlighting advantages and disadvantages of each in relation to their respective obstetrical and oncologic outcomes. A trend toward even more conservative surgery (simple trachelectomy/large cone) has recently been advocated for patients with low-risk early lesions. Conversely, the option of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by fertility-preserving surgery for patients with larger-size lesions has also been proposed. Emerging data are presented.