Impact of obesity on the results of fertility-sparing management for atypical hyperplasia and grade 1 endometrial cancer

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of obesity on reproductive and oncologic outcomes on the success of fertility-sparing management.

Methods

This retrospective multicenter cohort study included women treated conservatively for atypical hyperplasia (AH) and endometrial cancer (EC) to preserve fertility. Five inclusion criteria were defined: (i) the presence of AH or grade 1 EC confirmed by two pathologists; (ii) adequate radiological examination before conservative management; (iii) available body mass index (BMI) at the beginning of treatment; and (iv) a minimum follow-up time of six months.

Results

Forty patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (17 had EC, and 23 had AH), mean age and BMI were 33 years and 29 kg/m² respectively. Among the 15 obese patients, after medical treatment, 10 patients responded (67%) and three relapsed, whereas in the 25 non-obese patients, 19 responded (76%) and three relapsed (p = 0.72). The overall pregnancy rate and follow-up time were 35% and 35 months respectively. Among the 15 obese patients, after medical treatment, two patients became pregnant, whereas in the 25 non-obese patients, 12 became pregnant (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Despite similar response and recurrence rates, our results suggest that fertility-sparing management for AH and EC is associated with a lower probability of pregnancy in obese patients.