Recent advancements in surgical techniques are providing hope for cancer survivors wishing to conceive. A new experimental procedure has been developed to assist individuals who have undergone treatment for bowel or rectal cancer, which often results in debilitating side effects that impact reproductive organs such as the uterus and ovaries. This pioneering approach involves repositioning these organs during cancer treatment, allowing for their safe return post-therapy, thereby preserving fertility.
In Switzerland, a significant milestone was achieved when a baby boy, named Lucien, became the fifth child born following this innovative procedure. The operation was performed by Daniela Huber, a gyno-oncologist, who recounted that her patient, diagnosed with a four-centimeter rectal tumor, faced the daunting prospect of infertility due to the aggressive treatment regimen that included radiation and chemotherapy. This treatment, while effective against cancer, can severely damage the reproductive organs, making it challenging for patients to conceive in the future. Traditional options like egg freezing are available, but the irreparable harm to the uterus often prevents successful pregnancies.
Huber, inspired by the work of surgeon Reitan Ribeiro, who initially pioneered this technique in Brazil, decided to adopt the method to assist her patient. The procedure is performed by temporarily relocating the uterus and ovaries to a safer position in the abdomen, thereby avoiding radiation damage during treatment. After completing her cancer therapy, which successfully shrank her tumor, the patient underwent a follow-up surgery to return her reproductive organs to their original location. Subsequently, she conceived naturally and experienced a successful pregnancy, despite some complications in the later stages. This breakthrough has now been replicated in various countries, with multiple successful births reported, underscoring the potential of this surgical approach to change the landscape of fertility preservation for cancer patients.
Source: An experimental surgery is helping cancer survivors give birth via MIT Technology Review