This study protocol evaluates the use of hysteroscopic endomyometrial resection in women diagnosed with atypical endometrial hyperplasia or grade I endometrial cancer who have not responded to anti-hormone therapy. Patients in this study wish to preserve fertility.
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological cancer among Canadian women. This cancer often arises from a precursor lesion called atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AH). Hysterectomy is the most effective treatment for EC and AH. It is well recognized that EC may be diagnosed in younger women of child-bearing age. The diagnosis of EC or AH in these younger women is devastating as a hysterectomy is frequently required. Though some of these women respond to high-dose progestin treatment, the failure rate is high (60%), necessitating surgery. Recent case series show that some women with AH and early EC can be treated by resecting the precursor lesion of the early cancerous area in the uterus by hysteroscopy without the need for hysterectomy. The fertility-sparing approach is outlined in this research protocol.This is a multidisciplinary research project with input from gynaecologic oncology, general gynaecology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and pathology. Our hypothesis is that hysteroscopic resection (HR) is a safe and effective treatment for AH or EC in women who want to preserve their fertility and have not been successfully treated using progestin therapy. Patients will be closely monitored to ensure that this is a safe and effective treatment option.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Hysteroscopic Resection will be evaluated as a fertility-sparing treatment for patients with early Endometrial Cancer or Endometrial Hyperplasia (atypical or persisting typical) who fail progestin therapy. Failure of progesterone therapy is defined as: (a) Unsuccessful eradication of hyperplasia or cancer in the uterus or (b) Intolerance to the side effects of th hormone therapy. HR is a common gynecologic procedure that is offered to women for treatment of several benign gynecologic conditions. The conduct, risks, and complications of it are well-understood. In relation to this protocol, it is the indication for HR that constitutes the experimental intervention including the assessment of it's outcome. Patients deemed appropriate for hysteroscopic endomyometrial resection will be counselled on the nature of the procedure along with its risks and complications.
Vancouver General Hospital
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
RECRUITINGConception rate of women attempting pregnancy
live births / women attempting pregnancy
Time frame: 3 years post-resection
Overall conception rate
live births / all women participating in study, including those who failed hysteroscopic resection and have a hysterectomy
Time frame: 3 years post-resection
Local disease control rate (short-term failure of hysteroscopic resection)
Patients with persisting atypical hyperplasia or Grade I endometrial cancer / patients treated with hysteroscopic resection
Time frame: 3 months post-resection
Distant disease control rate (long-term failure of hysteroscopic resection)
patients developing distant recurrence / patients treated with hysteroscopic resection
Time frame: 3 years post-resection
Complications/side-effects
The investigators will tabulate complications/side-effects of the procedure such as the rate of uterine perforation, uterine adhesion, procedure infection, and others.
Time frame: 3 years post-resection
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