The short answer: Yes, some young women with an early gynaecological cancer can be treated without losing the chance of a pregnancy later. This is called fertility-preserving (or fertility-sparing) treatment: the womb and/or one ovary are kept. It is only safe for selected small, early, low-grade cancers of the cervix, ovary or womb, so it is not right for everyone. If you hope to have a baby after cancer treatment (cancer ke baad pregnancy, कैंसर के बाद प्रेग्नेंसी), say so at your very first visit, before any surgery or chemotherapy, because options such as egg freezing must be arranged before treatment starts. Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel, an ESGO-certified gynaecological oncologist, sees patients and operates at KD Hospital, Vaishnodevi Circle, SG Highway, Ahmedabad.
On this page
- What is fertility-preserving cancer surgery?
- Why KD Hospital for this surgery
- Who is a candidate
- What to expect
- How to book
- FAQs
What is fertility-preserving cancer surgery?
Fertility-preserving cancer surgery means treating the cancer while keeping the organs needed for pregnancy, instead of removing the womb (hysterectomy) and both ovaries. The main options are:
- Early cervical cancer (bachedani ke muh ka cancer): a radical trachelectomy removes the cervix (the neck of the womb) and the tissue around it but keeps the body of the womb, so pregnancy is still possible. It suits only selected small tumours, usually 2 cm or less. A stitch is placed to support a future pregnancy, and the baby is delivered by planned caesarean section. It can be done as open or keyhole (laparoscopic or robotic) surgery. As with radical hysterectomy, keyhole or robotic surgery is not equally safe for every cervical cancer, so the robot is not automatically the better choice; the approach is chosen carefully.
- Early ovarian cancer (andashay ka cancer): in selected stage IA cancers of a favourable type, only the affected ovary and tube are removed (unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy), together with careful staging, while the womb and the other ovary are kept.
- Early womb (endometrial) cancer: for selected grade 1 cancers that have not grown into the womb muscle (no myometrial invasion), hormone treatment (progestogens) may be used for a time instead of a hysterectomy, with a repeat biopsy about every 3 months. A hysterectomy is usually advised once your family is complete.
Strict selection and close follow-up are essential; this approach is not right for everyone.
At KD Hospital, Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel, an ESGO-certified gynaecological oncosurgeon, plans and performs this surgery with input from medical oncology, radiation oncology, anaesthesia, pathology and radiology, and works with fertility specialists when egg or embryo freezing is needed.
For broader information, see our guide to fertility-preserving surgery in selected patients, including who is eligible and its limits, and our page on cervical cancer diagnosis and care. Authoritative external guidance: ESGO Fertility Sparing Treatment guidelines and PubMed: Fertility-sparing surgery in gynaecological cancers — outcomes review.
Why KD Hospital, Vaishnodevi Circle, SG Highway for fertility-preserving cancer surgery?
KD Hospital is a well-established multi-specialty hospital with comprehensive oncology, advanced imaging and pathology support. Specifically for fertility-preserving cancer surgery, the centre offers advanced imaging suite, on-site pathology, dedicated oncology ward, well-equipped surgical theatres. KD Hospital also has a surgical robot, so if keyhole surgery is suitable for you it can be done laparoscopically or robotically here. These features matter for cancer surgery because:
- Single-team continuity: Dr. Nishtha personally manages your case from consultation through surgery and follow-up. You do not get passed between rotating team members.
- Multidisciplinary tumour board: complex cases are discussed jointly with medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology and radiology before final treatment decisions.
- Established infrastructure: KD Hospital’s advanced imaging suite, on-site pathology, dedicated oncology ward, well-equipped surgical theatres mean intra-operative imaging, frozen-section pathology, and post-operative critical care are available on site.
- Proximity for patients in west Ahmedabad: Gota, Vandematram, Chandlodia, north-west Ahmedabad reach the hospital within a short drive, making post-op follow-up logistically simple.
Who is a candidate for fertility-preserving cancer surgery?
Fertility-preserving treatment may be considered for selected early cancers in younger women who wish to keep the option of a future pregnancy. In general this means: cervical cancer at stage IA2–IB1 with a tumour 2 cm or less and no spread to the lymph nodes; ovarian cancer at stage IA of a favourable type, confined to one ovary; or womb (endometrial) cancer that is grade 1 endometrioid with no growth into the womb muscle on MRI. Women with high-grade or more advanced cancer, or cancer in the lymph nodes, are usually not suitable, because the risk to life is too high. The decision is individualised after review of:
- Histopathology / biopsy reports confirming diagnosis and grade
- Imaging (ultrasound, CT or MRI) to assess local extent and stage
- Tumour markers (CA-125, CEA, HE4 — where relevant)
- Performance status, comorbidities and patient preferences (including fertility wishes)
- Prior treatment history (neoadjuvant chemotherapy, prior surgery)
For an individualised assessment, please bring all of these reports to your consultation, or share them on WhatsApp in advance. Our checklist on preparing for a specialist appointment lists what to bring, and it helps to note down your questions about pregnancy before the visit.
What to expect with fertility-preserving cancer surgery
When it is the right choice, fertility-preserving surgery aims to keep the possibility of pregnancy without lowering the chance of cure for carefully selected women; it is not right for everyone, and careful planning by a multidisciplinary team is what makes it safe. The typical patient journey at KD Hospital looks like this:
- Initial consultation — review of reports, examination, plan discussion (45–60 minutes).
- Investigations — any additional imaging or tests required to complete staging.
- Multidisciplinary discussion — case reviewed at tumour board where appropriate.
- Surgery planning — admission, pre-op review with anaesthesia, consent discussion.
- Surgery and recovery — procedure performed at KD Hospital; the hospital stay depends on the operation and is usually shorter after keyhole surgery than after open surgery. Hormone treatment for early womb cancer does not need an operation or a hospital stay.
- Fertility advice — if needed, referral to a fertility specialist to discuss egg or embryo freezing, which often takes about 2 weeks and is arranged before treatment starts.
- Follow-up — first review at 1–2 weeks post-discharge, then 3-monthly for 2 years, then 6-monthly to year 5.
Possible risks and alternatives
Like any operation, fertility-preserving surgery carries risks such as bleeding, infection and blood clots, which your surgeon will explain for your situation. Because the womb or an ovary is kept, regular follow-up is essential, and some women later need further treatment or surgery. After a trachelectomy, a pregnancy needs close care because miscarriage and early (preterm) birth are more likely, and the baby is delivered by caesarean section. After hormone treatment for early womb cancer, the cancer can come back, so a hysterectomy is usually advised once your family is complete.
If fertility-preserving treatment is not safe for you, the usual alternative is standard treatment, such as removing the womb and ovaries or, for some cervical cancers, chemoradiation (sikai with chemotherapy). Egg or embryo freezing before treatment, arranged with a fertility specialist, may still keep the chance of a biological child.
How to book fertility-preserving cancer surgery at KD Hospital, Vaishnodevi Circle, SG Highway
Consultations for fertility-preserving cancer surgery with Dr. Nishtha at KD Hospital are by prior appointment. To book:
- Call or WhatsApp: +91 76988 00333
- Online: Book an appointment
- Second opinion: Request a free 10-minute report review
For patients travelling from outside Ahmedabad, mention this at booking so the team can group consultation, investigations, and pre-op work-up into the fewest possible visits.
FAQs — Fertility-Preserving Cancer Surgery at KD Hospital, Vaishnodevi Circle, SG Highway
Where exactly is KD Hospital and how do I reach it for a fertility-preserving cancer surgery consultation?
KD Hospital is located at Vaishnodevi Circle, SG Highway in Ahmedabad. The hospital is reachable from Gota, Vandematram, Chandlodia, north-west Ahmedabad within a comfortable drive. Patients arriving from outside Ahmedabad can plan a single-day consultation by booking in advance on +91 76988 00333.
Why choose KD Hospital for fertility-preserving cancer surgery rather than a generalist?
KD Hospital is a well-established multi-specialty hospital with comprehensive oncology, advanced imaging and pathology support. Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel performs fertility-preserving cancer surgery here with full multidisciplinary support — advanced imaging suite, on-site pathology, dedicated oncology ward, well-equipped surgical theatres. This combination of specialist surgeon, dedicated oncology infrastructure, and tumour-board case review is associated with better outcomes than non-specialist settings.
Who is a candidate for fertility-preserving cancer surgery at KD Hospital?
Fertility-preserving surgery may be considered for selected early-stage cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancers in younger women who wish to keep the option of a future pregnancy. It is not suitable for high-grade, larger or more advanced cancers. Eligibility is confirmed after review of imaging (ultrasound, CT or MRI), biopsy or histopathology reports, and tumour markers. A consultation with Dr. Nishtha allows a personalised treatment plan to be formulated.
How long is the hospital stay after fertility-preserving cancer surgery at KD Hospital?
Hospital stay depends on the operation and on your recovery. After keyhole surgery many women go home within a few days (often about 3–4 days); after open surgery, such as an open radical trachelectomy, the stay is usually longer. Hormone treatment for early womb cancer does not need a hospital stay. Dr. Nishtha’s team plans discharge individually.
Can I get a second opinion before deciding on fertility-preserving cancer surgery at KD Hospital?
Yes. Dr. Nishtha provides independent second opinions on diagnosis, staging, and proposed treatment plans. You can share reports on WhatsApp (+91 76988 00333) before the consultation so the meeting focuses on your specific decision.
Can I get pregnant after fertility-preserving cancer surgery?
Many women can, but not all, and it depends on which treatment you had. After removal of one ovary and tube, natural pregnancy is often possible. After a radical trachelectomy, pregnancy is possible but needs close care, because miscarriage and early birth are more likely, and the baby is delivered by caesarean section. After hormone treatment for early womb cancer, pregnancy is usually tried once biopsies show the cancer has gone, sometimes with help from a fertility specialist. Your doctors will tell you when it is safe to start trying.
Should I freeze my eggs before cancer treatment?
If your treatment may affect your fertility and you want children in future, ask about it at your first visit. Egg or embryo freezing often takes about 2 weeks; your cancer specialist and a fertility specialist decide together whether that short delay is safe for you.
Medical content reviewed by Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel, MBBS, DGO, DNB, Fellowship Gynaecological Oncology, ESGO-certified.