Current treatment options for cervical leiomyomas: A systematic review of literature

Abstract

Background and objectives: Cervical leiomyomas are a rare benign disease. Although they are mainly treated surgically, currently, there is not a standardized treatment for cervical leiomyomas. This study aims to summarize current literature evidence about treatment options for cervical leiomyomas. Materials and methods: A systematic research of the literature was conducted in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library, including observational prospective and retrospective studies, case series and case reports. We collected data regarding studies related to treatment options for cervical leiomyomas, evaluating the following aspects: study design, population, treatment type, rate of surgical complications, and fertility outcome. Results: According to literature research, 38 articles were included. Among 214 patients, the weighted average age was 39.4 years-old; 23 patients were pregnant. Most of the leiomyomas (78%) were extracervical; in 22% of cases (29 patients) were intracervical; 188 patients (88%) received surgical treatment, 6 (3%) received exclusive conservative management and 21 (10%) underwent interventional radiology treatment. One hundred twenty-seven patients (67.5%) underwent myomectomy, while 54 (28.7%) and 7 (3.7%) hysterectomy and trachelectomy, respectively. Cervical myomectomy was performed by open surgery in 21 out of 127 cases (16.5%), while in 92 (72.4%) and 6 (4.7%) patients the surgical approach was performed by traditional and robot-assisted laparoscopy, respectively. The total rate of surgical complications was 5.6%. Conclusion: Surgery is the primary therapeutic option for cervical leiomyomas with a low rate of surgical complications. Interventional radiology techniques have reported promising but still limited results.