Comments on the definition of ovarian cancer stage IC2, related to fertility-sparing treatment

Fertility preservation is a significant concern in young patients with ovarian cancer due to its impact on the quality of life. Fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) should be reserved for those with stage IA disease. This article presents a patient diagnosed with stage IC2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the ovary who underwent FSS, subsequently became pregnant, and delivered a healthy baby. The favorable disease progression suggests a less aggressive nature, raising questions about the clarity of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) definition for stage IC2, specifically regarding the distinction between the presence of a tumor and the presence of invasive tumor on the ovarian surface. The clinical significance of differentiating between the presence and absence of invasive tumor on the ovarian surface requires further investigation. If deemed important, recognizing the absence of invasive tumor on the ovarian surface may lead to the classification of more cases as stages lower than IC, consequently increasing the utilization of fertility-sparing procedures.

Ovarian cancer; Fertility-sparing surgery; FIGO classification of ovarian cancer

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