The short answer: If you are young and have been told you have an early cancer of the cervix, ovary or womb, ask whether your womb or an ovary can be kept. In selected small, early, low-grade cancers this is possible, and a future pregnancy may still happen; in larger or more aggressive cancers it is not safe. In Hindi this is often asked as bachedani bachane ka operation (बच्चेदानी बचाने का ऑपरेशन); in Gujarati, ગર્ભાશય બચાવવાની સર્જરી. At Welcare Speciality Hospital, Ahmedabad, Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel, an ESGO-certified gynaecological oncologist, sees patients for consultation and offers open and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. Welcare does not have a surgical robot: if robotic surgery is advised for you, it is done at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital.
On this page
- What is fertility-preserving cancer surgery?
- Why Welcare Speciality Hospital for this surgery
- Who is a candidate
- What to expect
- How to book
- FAQs
What is fertility-preserving cancer surgery?
Fertility-preserving treatment keeps the womb, or the womb and one ovary, in women whose cancer is small and early enough for this to be safe. 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. At Welcare it can be done as open or laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. As with radical hysterectomy, keyhole surgery is not equally safe for every cervical cancer, so the approach is chosen carefully and open surgery is often preferred.
- 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 Welcare Speciality Hospital, open or laparoscopic fertility-preserving surgery is performed by Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel, an ESGO-certified gynaecological oncosurgeon, with multidisciplinary input from medical oncology, radiation oncology, anaesthesia, pathology and radiology.
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 Welcare Speciality Hospital, Ahmedabad for fertility-preserving cancer surgery?
Welcare Speciality Hospital is focused specialist care with personalised consultation access and dedicated surgical facilities. For fertility-preserving surgery, the centre offers specialist consultation rooms, surgical theatres for open and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, and post-operative care. Welcare does not have a surgical robot; if robotic surgery is advised for you, it is done at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital. 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: Welcare Speciality Hospital’s specialist consultation rooms, dedicated surgical theatres, post-op care mean intra-operative imaging, frozen-section pathology, and post-operative critical care are available on site.
- A choice of hospitals: you can see Dr. Nishtha at Welcare, Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital, so you can pick the one that is easiest for your follow-up visits.
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. See our tips on preparing for a specialist appointment.
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 Welcare Speciality 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 — open or laparoscopic surgery at Welcare Speciality Hospital (robotic surgery, if advised, at Sterling Hospitals or 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 Welcare Speciality Hospital, Ahmedabad
Consultations for fertility-preserving cancer surgery with Dr. Nishtha at Welcare Speciality 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 Welcare Speciality Hospital, Ahmedabad
Where exactly is Welcare Speciality Hospital and how do I reach it for a fertility-preserving surgery consultation?
Welcare Speciality Hospital is in Ahmedabad. When you book, the team can share directions. Patients arriving from outside Ahmedabad can plan a single-day consultation by booking in advance on +91 76988 00333.
Why choose Welcare Speciality Hospital for fertility-preserving cancer surgery rather than a generalist?
Welcare Speciality Hospital is focused specialist care with personalised consultation access and dedicated surgical facilities. Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel performs open and laparoscopic (keyhole) fertility-preserving surgery here, with specialist consultation rooms, surgical theatres and post-operative care. Robotic surgery is not done at Welcare; if it is advised for you, it is done at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital. 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 Welcare Speciality 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 Welcare Speciality Hospital?
Hospital stay depends on the operation and on your recovery. A stay after laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery is usually shorter than after open surgery, and hormone treatment for early womb cancer does not need a hospital stay. The team will tell you what to expect before your operation.
Can I get a second opinion before deciding on fertility-preserving cancer surgery at Welcare Speciality 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.
Is robotic surgery available at Welcare Speciality Hospital?
No. Welcare Speciality Hospital does not have a surgical robot. Dr. Nishtha offers consultations and open and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery at Welcare. If robotic surgery is advised for you, it is done at Sterling Hospitals or KD Hospital. For cervical cancer, keyhole or robotic surgery should not be seen as the better or safer choice; the approach is decided after discussing the evidence with you.
What if I am not able to have fertility-preserving surgery?
If keeping the womb or an ovary is not safe, standard treatment is advised. Egg or embryo freezing before treatment, arranged with a fertility specialist, often takes about 2 weeks and may still keep the chance of a biological child. Ask about this before any treatment starts.
Medical content reviewed by Dr. Nishtha Tripathi Patel, MBBS, DGO, DNB, Fellowship Gynaecological Oncology, ESGO-certified.