Medical Oncologist
CION Cancer Clinics
Keeping the chance of pregnancy after ovarian cancer surgery | CION Cancer Clinics
In some ovarian tumours, surgery can remove the affected ovary and tube while keeping the womb and the healthy ovary, so pregnancy stays possible. It is considered for borderline tumours, germ cell tumours and selected early cancers, after careful staging. It is not suitable for every woman. This page explains who may be offered it, what follows the operation, and what to ask your team. CION Cancer Clinics’ surgical oncologists in Hyderabad can talk this through with you.
MI
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mohammed ImaduddinConsultant Surgical Oncologist · MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Surgical Oncology) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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On this page
- Can ovarian cancer surgery leave you able to have a child?
- Which ovarian tumours may allow fertility-sparing surgery?
- How does it differ from the standard operation?
- What happens after the operation?
- What do families often believe about keeping fertility?
- What do the words on the report mean?
- Who is it not suited to, and what can this page not tell you?
- Common questions about fertility-sparing surgery in ovarian cancer
The short answer
Can ovarian cancer surgery leave you able to have a child?
Sometimes, yes. In certain early or less aggressive ovarian tumours, the surgeon can remove the affected ovary and tube but leave the womb and the other ovary in place, so a pregnancy remains possible later.
What the standard operation removes
The usual operation for ovarian cancer removes both ovaries, both tubes and the womb, along with a fatty apron of tissue in the abdomen called the omentum. That leaves no chance of carrying a pregnancy and brings on menopause straight away. For many women this remains the right operation.
What fertility-sparing surgery keeps
The surgeon removes the ovary and tube on the side of the tumour. The womb and the healthy ovary stay. The rest of the abdomen is still checked carefully, with samples taken to find out whether cancer has spread. This checking is called staging, and it is what makes the smaller operation safe to consider.
Why the decision is not made on the scan alone
The type of tumour is often confirmed only when the tissue is examined under a microscope. Sometimes the final report changes the picture, and a second operation is advised. Your team will explain this possibility before you consent.
Whether this approach is right for you is decided by your treating team. This page explains what they weigh.Where it may be considered
Which ovarian tumours may allow fertility-sparing surgery?
Ovarian cancer is not one disease. The type of tumour matters as much as how far it has spread.
Borderline tumours
These sit between harmless cysts and cancer. They grow slowly and rarely spread. Keeping fertility is often possible, though they can come back in the remaining ovary and need watching.
Germ cell tumours
These start in the egg-making cells and mostly affect girls and young women. They usually respond very well to chemotherapy, so the womb and healthy ovary can often be kept even when the disease is more than early.
Sex cord-stromal tumours
These start in the supporting tissue of the ovary. When found early and confined to one ovary, fertility-sparing surgery may be considered.
Early epithelial cancer
The most common type in older women. Fertility sparing is considered only in selected cases.
Usually needs
- Cancer confined to one ovary
- A less aggressive grade
- Complete staging with no spread
Not sure whether this applies to you?
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How does it differ from the standard operation?
Standard surgery
Fertility-sparing surgery
Both ovaries, both tubes and the womb removed
One ovary and tube removed; womb and other ovary kept
Menopause begins straight away
Periods and hormones usually continue
No pregnancy possible afterwards
Pregnancy remains possible, though not certain
Suitable for most stages and types
Only for selected early or favourable tumours
Routine follow-up
Closer follow-up of the remaining ovary
The pathway
What happens after the operation?
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The pathology report
The removed tissue is examined in detail. The report confirms the tumour type, its grade, meaning how abnormal the cells look, and whether any of the staging samples contain cancer.
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The team reviews the plan
If the report matches what was expected, you move on to follow-up or further treatment. If it shows a more aggressive type or spread, a second operation may be advised.
-
Chemotherapy, if needed
Some women need chemotherapy after surgery. It can affect the remaining ovary, so ask about egg freezing or hormone injections that may help protect the ovary before it starts.
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Regular checks
Follow-up usually includes examinations, ultrasound scans of the remaining ovary and blood tests for tumour markers, substances some tumours release into the blood.
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Planning a pregnancy
Your team will advise how long to wait before trying. Some teams later suggest removing the remaining ovary and womb once your family is complete.
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Commonly believed
What do families often believe about keeping fertility?
"Keeping the womb means the cancer is more likely to come back."
For carefully chosen women with favourable tumours, research so far suggests the smaller operation does not clearly worsen results. The key words are carefully chosen. For other tumours the standard operation is advised because the risk is higher.
"Any woman who wants children can ask for it."
Wanting a child matters and should be said clearly. The tumour type and stage still decide what is safe. A team that declines to spare fertility is usually doing so because the cancer does not allow it.
"After this operation, getting pregnant will be easy."
Many women do conceive naturally with one ovary. Others need help, especially after chemotherapy. Age, the remaining egg supply and scarring from surgery all play a part.
"Once the family is complete, nothing more needs doing."
Some teams recommend a further operation at that point to lower the chance of the tumour returning in the remaining ovary. Ask about this early, so it is part of your long-term plan.
On your report
What do the words on the report mean?
- Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
- Removal of the ovary and fallopian tube on one side only.
- Omentectomy
- Removal of the omentum, a fatty layer in the abdomen where ovarian cancer can spread.
- Peritoneal washings
- Fluid rinsed around the abdomen during surgery and checked for cancer cells.
- Stage
- How far the cancer has spread. Stage one means it is confined to one or both ovaries.
- Completion surgery
- A later operation to remove the remaining ovary, tube and womb, either because of the report or once childbearing is complete.
Being straight with you
Who is it not suited to, and what can this page not tell you?
Fertility-sparing surgery is usually not suitable when cancer is found in both ovaries, has spread in the abdomen, or is an aggressive type. It is also less likely to be suggested if you would find close follow-up hard to keep up.
Ask for a gynaecological oncologist
Staging and the choice to spare fertility need a surgeon trained in cancers of the female reproductive organs. If a cyst was removed elsewhere and turned out to be cancer, a review by such a team is worth arranging before any further decision.
Follow-up is part of the choice
Keeping the womb and one ovary means keeping tissue that needs watching. That usually means regular visits, scans and blood tests for several years. If you live far from Hyderabad, ask how follow-up can be arranged closer to home, and plan the travel with your family before you decide.
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you your stage, whether your tumour type allows this approach, or your chance of pregnancy. Those depend on your own reports. Bring every scan and pathology report to the consultation.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about fertility-sparing surgery in ovarian cancer
Will I still get periods after the operation?
Usually yes. One healthy ovary can make enough hormones for regular periods. If you need chemotherapy afterwards, periods may pause or become irregular, and in some women they do not return. Tell your team if periods stop, so they can check your hormone levels.
Can this be done by keyhole surgery?
Sometimes. The choice depends on the size of the tumour and whether it can be removed without bursting. Keeping a cancerous cyst intact matters, because spilling its contents can change the stage. Ask your surgeon which approach they plan for you and why.
How long should I wait before trying for a baby?
There is no single answer. It depends on the tumour type, whether you had chemotherapy and how your follow-up scans look. Your oncologist and a fertility specialist will advise together. Please do not decide the timing on your own, even if you feel well.
Is pregnancy risky for the cancer?
For most ovarian tumours treated this way, pregnancy is not thought to make the cancer come back. The concern is more about timing and making sure follow-up continues. Your team will plan scans around the pregnancy where needed.
What if the final report shows the cancer is more advanced?
The team will explain what changed and what they now recommend. That may be a second operation to complete staging or remove more tissue, or chemotherapy. It is hard news, and it is reasonable to bring a family member and ask for time to think.
Should I freeze eggs before surgery?
It is worth asking, especially if chemotherapy is likely afterwards. Whether there is time depends on how urgent surgery is and on your tumour. For some hormone-sensitive tumours, fertility drugs need extra care. A fertility specialist can advise alongside your surgeon.
I am unmarried. Does that change anything?
The medical decision does not depend on marital status. What matters is the tumour and your wish to keep fertility. Egg freezing is available to unmarried women. You may want a parent or trusted person with you when the options are explained.
Is the surgery covered by Aarogyasri or insurance?
Ovarian cancer surgery is usually covered as cancer care under schemes such as Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS and EHS, and by cashless insurers. Egg freezing may be treated differently. Call the helpline with your card or policy details and we will help you check.
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Sources
- NHS — Ovarian cancer: treatment
- Cancer Research UK — Ovarian cancer
- National Cancer Institute — Fertility issues in girls and women with cancer
- American Cancer Society — Ovarian cancer
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
Related pages
Egg freezing before cancer treatmentWorth asking about if chemotherapy is likelyFertility preservation for unmarried patients in IndiaWhat changes, and what does notThe pathology report after surgeryThe report that confirms the tumour typeTalking to your oncologist about fertilityHow to raise it before surgeryOncofertility SurgeryEvery page in this guide
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Diagnosed with an ovarian tumour and worried about fertility?
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