Ovarian transposition in young patients with invasive cervical cancer receiving radiation therapy.

Twenty-two patients with invasive cervical cancer had ovarian transposition. Fifteen patients received whole pelvic external radiation therapy via a teletherapy unit, and nine patients also received one or two intracavitary insertions. Ovarian function was measured by serum gonadotropins, FSH, and LH. We were unable to measure gonadotropin levels in four patients because they were lost to follow-up after completion of radiation therapy. Five patients developed postmenopausal symptoms; in two the ovaries were not shielded and they received radiation by lateral ports with an average dose above 2500 cGY. Therefore, ovarian function was preserved in seven of 11 patients (64%), all of whom received