About this trial
This study is designed as a Phase I clinical trial enrolling female patients aged 18-40 years who have been diagnosed with pelvic malignancies requiring whole pelvic external radiation therapy (WPXRT) and who express interest in preserving fertility and ovarian function.
The trial's primary objective is to assess the feasibility and safety of uterine and ovarian transposition (UOT). Premenopausal women under the age of 40 will undergo UOT using a novel minimally invasive approach.
Feasibility and safety will be evaluated through standardized postoperative assessments, including:
(A) success in mobilizing and repositioning the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes while maintaining vascular integrity; (B) documentation of surgical complications; (C) monitoring the timeliness and adherence to planned WPXRT.
To enhance safety and optimize outcomes, intraoperative imaging with indocyanine green fluorescence and Doppler ultrasonography will be employed.
Short-term success will be defined by technical success in repositioning the uterus and ovaries with preserved vascular integrity, absence of major surgical complications, and timely initiation and completion of WPXRT.
Long-term success will be evaluated by the preservation of fertility.
The study's primary objective is also to evaluate surgical, reproductive, and quality-of-life outcomes following UOT. This objective will determine the procedure's efficacy in preserving ovarian and menstrual function and its potential to support future pregnancies.
Endpoints include:
(A) maintenance of normal premenopausal levels of FSH, LH, AMH, and estradiol at defined postoperative intervals; (B) assessment of menstrual timing, regularity, and characteristics to document return of ovulatory cycles; (C) evaluation of uterine integrity and reproductive potential using pelvic ultrasonography; (D) comprehensive evaluation of patient quality of life encompassing physical, emotional, sexual, and reproductive well-being.
These measures will inform optimization of surgical techniques and provide a foundation for scaling the procedure to a broader population in future studies.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age: Women 18 - 40 years of age who wish to preserve their fertility.
Colon and rectal cancer with tumors.
Anal cancer.
Other pelvic malignancies that require administration of WPXRT.
Disqualifiers
Advanced Cancer Stage: Patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease.
Significant Uterine Pathology: Presence of large uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, or other intrauterine pathologies that would complicate the procedure or future pregnancy.
Recent (within 6 months) myocardial infarction (MI).
Ejection fraction (EF): EF <30%.
Trial design
Single group
Treatments tested in this trial
Uteroovarian transposition
Procedure/SurgeryUteroovarian transposition involves temporarily relocating the uterus, both ovaries and fallopian tubes outside the planned radiation field. Once WPXRT is complete, a second surgery is performed to return these organs to their natural position in the patient's pelvis.
Treatment groups
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
Success of uterine transposition
Success of uterine transposition (feasibility) will be defined as the percentage of cases in which the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes are successfully mobilized and repositioned as planned without the need for intraoperative conversion. Unit of Measure: Percentage of participants (%) Time Frame: up 30 days postsurgery.
Secondary outcomes
Postoperative Complications
Postoperative complications will be monitored. All complications will be graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system. Unit of Measure: Number of participants with complications.
Menstrual Function
Menstrual function will be evaluated by assessing the return of menses, cycle regularity, and ovulatory characteristics through a standardized postoperative questionnaire. Unit of Measure: Percentage of participants (%)
Hormonal Function: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Hormonal Function will be evaluated by measuring serum levels of FSH Unit of Measure: Hormone concentration: IU/L
Hormonal Function: Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Hormonal Function will be evaluated by measuring serum levels of LH. Unit of Measure: Hormone concentration: IU/L.
Sponsors and contacts
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