The vaginal radical trachelectomy: An update of a series of 125 cases and 106 pregnancies

ObjectiveTo review our first consecutive 125 vaginal radical trachelectomies (VRT) to assess the oncologic, fertility and obstetrical outcomes.MethodsData from our prospective database was used to identify all VRT planned between October 1991 to March 2010 in patients with early-stage cervical cancer (stages IA, IB and IIA). Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Student t-test were used to compare baseline characteristics and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were constructed and compared with the use of the log-rank test.ResultsDuring the study period, 140 VRT were planned and 125 were performed. The median age of the patients was 31 and 75% were nulliparous. The majority of the lesions were stage IA2 (21%) or IB1 (69%) and 41% were grade 1. In terms of histology, 56% were squamous and 37% were adenocarcinomas. Vascular space invasion was present in 29% of cases, and 88.5% of the lesions measured ≤ 2 cm. The mean follow-up was 93 months (range: 4–225 months). There were 6 recurrences (4.8%) and 2 deaths (1.6%) following VRT. The actuarial 5-year recurrence-free survival was 95.8% [95% CI: 0.90–0.98], whereas it was 79% [95% CI: 0.49–0.93] in the group where the VRT was abandoned (p = 0.001). Higher tumor grade, LVSI and size > 2 cm appeared to be predictive of the risk of abandoning VRT (p = 0.001, p = 0.025 and p = 0.03 respectively). Tumor size > 2 cm was statistically significantly associated with a higher risk of recurrence (p = 0.001). In terms of obstetrical outcome, 58 women conceived a total of 106 pregnancies. The first and second trimester miscarriage rates were 20% and 3% respectively, and 77 (73%) of the pregnancies reached the third trimester, of which 58 (75%) delivered at term. Overall, 15 (13.5%) patients experienced fertility problems, 40% of which were due to cervical factor. Twelve (80%) were able to conceive, the majority with assisted reproductive technologies.ConclusionVRT is an oncologically safe procedure in well-selected patients with early-stage disease. Lesion size > 2 cm appears to be associated with a higher risk of recurrence and a higher risk of abandoning the planned VRT. Fertility and obstetrical outcomes post VRT are excellent.

Research Highlights►VRT offers excellent oncology outcome and preserves fertility in most patients. ►Lesions > 2 cm are associated with a higher risk of recurrence.