title: Reproductive function after conservative surgery and chemotherapy for malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the long-term effects on reproductive function of fertility-preserving treatment for malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case series analysis was performed on patients with malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary seen or consulted on at our institution between 1975 and 1995. Follow-up information regarding reproductive function was obtained by a mailed or telephone questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 106 patients with malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary were included in the study. Twenty patients were excluded because of loss of follow-up or death. For the remaining 86 patients, the median follow-up was 122 months (24-384 months). Fertility-preserving surgery was performed in 64 patients. Thirty-eight have attempted conception and 29 have achieved at least one pregnancy (76%). Among the patients who conceived, 20 were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I, one was stage II, and eight were stage III. Sixteen received vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide; three received cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin; three received bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin; one received etoposide and cisplatin; four did not receive any chemotherapy; and two were treated with other combinations. Among the nine patients who could not conceive, seven were FIGO stage I and two were stage III. Four of these patients received vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide; three received etoposide and cisplatin; one received cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin; and one patient received no chemotherapy. A total of 38 children were born to these women. Follow-up was available for 16 of these children, who have no evidence of congenital anomalies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fertility-preserving surgery followed by chemotherapy, even in advanced-stage malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary, is effective in conserving the reproductive function of women with malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8063, USA.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tangir
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zelterman
authors.forename: Wenging
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018237:Germinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome