Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the oncologic and pregnancy outcomes of combined oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)/levonorgestrel-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) treatment in young women with grade 2-differentiated stage IA endometrial adenocarcinoma who wish to preserve fertility.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with grade 2 stage IA endometrial adenocarcinoma who had received fertility-sparing treatment at CHA Gangnam Medical Center between 2011 and 2015. All of the patients were treated with combined oral MPA (500 mg/d)/LNG-IUS, and follow-up dilatation and curettage were performed every 3 months.
Results: A total of 5 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 30.4 ± 5.3 years (range, 25-39 years). After a mean treatment duration of 11.0 ± 6.2 months (range, 6-18 months), complete response (CR) was shown in 3 of the 5 patients, with partial response (PR) in the other 2 patients. One case of recurrence was reported 14 months after achieving CR. This patient was treated again with combined oral MPA/LNG-IUS and achieved CR by 6 months. The average follow-up period was 44.4 ± 26.2 months (range, 12-71 months). There were no cases of progressive disease. No treatment-related complications arose.
Conclusions: Combined oral MPA/LNG-IUS treatment is considered to be a reasonably effective fertility-sparing treatment of grade 2 stage IA endometrial cancer. Although our results are encouraging, it is preliminary and should be considered with experienced oncologists in well-defined protocol and with close follow-up.