In this study, the researchers delved into the optimal follow-up strategy following fertility-sparing surgery for cervical cancer patients. Notably, in about 75% of the patients who underwent a co-test involving high-risk HPV and cytology at 6 and 12 months post-treatment, no high-risk HPV or high-grade cytological abnormalities were detected. After a median follow-up period of 3.2 years, there were no instances of recurrent cervical (pre)cancer among this specific subgroup of 128 patients. These findings suggest that a longer follow-up interval of 12 months appears to be a safe approach after two consecutive negative high-risk HPV tests and the absence of high-grade cytology at 6 and 12 months following fertility-sparing surgery.
Customizing the surveillance strategy after fertility-sparing surgery has the potential to enhance the efficiency of post-treatment monitoring for cervical cancer patients, ultimately leading to cost reductions in healthcare. However, further prospective trials are necessary to establish robust recommendations for an optimal and cost-effective follow-up strategy that can be readily implemented in clinical practice after fertility-sparing surgery in cervical cancer.
The scientific publication is available here:
People involved at Amsterdam UMC:
Teska Schuurman
Mirte Schaafsma
Maaike Bleeker
Stijn Mom