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Efforts to cure cervical cancer without removing the uterus -Pregnancy possible after treatment is completed｜Okayama University

- The following is content from the press release -

June 19, 2025
Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp

Presentation Points

  • For patients with cervical cancer who had been forced to have their uterus removed, we began developing a new treatment to cure the cancer without having to remove the uterus.
  • By administering anticancer drugs prior to surgery, it is expected that a reduction surgery can be performed safely while reducing the risk of recurrence.
  • After treatment is completed, if it is confirmed that there is no recurrence, pregnancy can be attempted.

Outline

　A research group led by Professor Shoji Nagao of the Department of Perinatal Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu), Assistant Professor Naoyuki Yoda of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Hospital, and Doctor Momoko Tanioka of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Hospital, has developed a new method to reduce the size of a tumor by preoperative administration of anticancer drugs. The research group, led by Assistant Professor Naoyuki Yoda and Dr. Momoko Tanioka of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Hospital, has started to develop a new treatment method to preserve the uterus of patients with stage IB2 or IB3 cervical cancer (with a tumor larger than 2 cm in size without metastasis), who have previously required hysterectomy, by performing cervical conical dissection and laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection after shrinking the tumor with the administration of a preoperative anticancer drug.

　Similar trials have been conducted sporadically in Europe, but this is the first time in the world that it is being conducted as a proper clinical study with safety assurance. Once established, this treatment will help prevent young patients with cervical cancer from losing the chance of future pregnancies.

　On May 27, 2025, the study was approved by the university's Ethics Review Committee, and recruitment of patients to participate in the study began on June 1, 2025.

　This information was released at the regular press conference of Okayama University held on June 17, 2025.

A word from the researchers

Professor Shoji Nagao

　The research that I have been working on for more than 10 years is finally at the stage where it can be delivered to patients. I will do my best to bring hope to cervical cancer patients who hope to conceive in the future.

Assistant Professor Naoyuki Yoda

　Our goal is to make such an option a reality, preserving the possibility of pregnancy while treating cervical cancer. We hope to pave the way for a future in which young cervical cancer patients who have been diagnosed with cancer but still want to have children do not have to give up hope.

Momoko Tanioka, M.D.

　When Dr. Nagao first told me about his research, I was honestly skeptical that such a thing was possible. However, as I studied the various studies that had been conducted, I came to believe that it was a very reasonable treatment. I hope that this will become an option for patients who wish to conceive.

Paper Information

　Title: Phase II study of a new multidisciplinary therapy using once every 3 weeks carboplatin plus dose-dense weekly paclitaxel before and after radical hysterectomy for locally advanced cervical cancer
　Publication: Int J Clin Oncol
　Author：Nagao S, Yamamoto K, Oishi T, Yamaguchi S, Takehara K, Shimada M, Kigawa J.
　d o i: 10.1007/s10147-020-01787-7.

research funds (expenses)

　This research is supported by the clinical research support system of Okayama University.

For more information about our research

Efforts to cure cervical cancer without removing the uterus - Pregnancy is possible after treatment is completed.
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/up_load_files/press_r7/press20250617-4.pdf

reference

reference information

Okayama University Shikata Campus (Kita-ku, Okayama City)

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact

Shoji Nagao, Professor, Department of Perinatal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
　Shikata Campus, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
　TEL: 086-235-7320
https://www.okayama-u-obgyn.jp/about/medical-staff/staff/
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/release/release_id1397.html

Okayama University National University Corporation supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, Okayama University was awarded a special prize in the government's first "Japan SDGs Award". Please look forward to Okayama University promoting co-education and co-creation as a regional core and distinctive research university!

  • Okayama University Selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "Project for Strengthening Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities (J-PEAKS)" - Accelerating the realization of Okayama University as a research university that co-creates the future of the region and the earth and serves as a core for global innovation, while establishing a mountain range of world-class research universities in Japan.https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001935.000072793.html

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