Medical Oncologist
CION Cancer Clinics
Moving the womb before pelvic radiation: what families should know | CION Cancer Clinics
Uterine transposition is an experimental operation that moves the womb, tubes and ovaries into the upper abdomen before pelvic radiation, then returns them afterwards. It aims to keep the chance of carrying your own pregnancy. It has mostly been used in young women with rectal cancer, at a few specialist centres. This page explains how it works, its risks, and the questions to ask. CION Cancer Clinics’ surgical oncologists in Hyderabad can talk this through with you.
MM
Medically reviewed by Dr. Muralidhar MuddusettyConsultant Surgical Oncologist · MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery, AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
17+specialists on panel
15,000+patients treated
35+centres across Telangana & AP
4.8★ / 800+Google rating
On this page
- What is uterine transposition, and is it a proven option?
- How is the womb moved and brought back?
- How does it compare with moving only the ovaries?
- What can go wrong, and who is it not suited to?
- What do families often assume about this operation?
- What should you ask if this option is mentioned?
- Common questions about uterine transposition
The short answer
What is uterine transposition, and is it a proven option?
Uterine transposition is an operation that moves the womb, with its tubes and ovaries, up into the upper abdomen before pelvic radiation, then puts it back once radiation is over. It is still an experimental technique, done at a small number of specialist centres, often as part of a research study.
The problem it tries to solve
Radiation to the pelvis can damage the womb as well as the ovaries. Moving the ovaries alone can protect eggs and hormones, but the womb stays behind in the radiation field. A womb that has received a high dose often cannot carry a pregnancy safely. Uterine transposition tries to protect all three at once.
Who it has mostly been used for
Most reports so far involve young women with rectal cancer who need radiation before their main operation. It has also been described for some other pelvic tumours, such as sarcomas, where the womb itself is healthy and not involved.
How much is known
The first cases were reported less than a decade ago. Pregnancies and births after the operation have been reported, but in small numbers. Long follow-up is not yet available, so nobody can yet say how reliable it is or how often serious problems occur.
This page explains the idea. It cannot tell you whether the operation is suitable for you or available near you.In outline
How is the womb moved and brought back?
Freeing the womb
Usually by keyhole surgery, the surgeon separates the womb from the top of the vagina. The womb keeps the blood vessels that run to the ovaries, so it stays alive while it is moved.
Moving it upwards
The womb, tubes and ovaries are lifted into the upper abdomen, well above the radiation field. The neck of the womb is brought out near the belly button so period blood can drain.
Radiation, and often more treatment
Radiation goes ahead as planned. Many women also need chemotherapy and a cancer operation afterwards. The womb stays in its new place for this whole period, and the team checks that it still has a good blood supply.
Putting it back
In a second operation, often combined with the cancer surgery, the womb is returned to the pelvis and joined back to the vagina. Recovery after this step depends mostly on the size of the cancer operation it is combined with.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistSide by side
How does it compare with moving only the ovaries?
Ovarian transposition
Uterine transposition
Moves the ovaries only; the womb stays in the field
Moves the womb, tubes and ovaries together
One short keyhole operation
Two operations, one to move and one to return
An established procedure offered at many centres
Experimental, at a few specialist centres
Pregnancy may later need another woman to carry it
Aims to keep the chance of carrying your own pregnancy
Risks are well described
Risks are still being worked out
Being straight with you
What can go wrong, and who is it not suited to?
The main risk is that the womb loses its blood supply after it is moved. If that happens, the womb may need to be removed. Other problems described include narrowing of the neck of the womb, infection, and trouble reconnecting it to the vagina.
It adds surgery to an already heavy plan
You will have an extra operation before radiation, and the return operation later. Each carries the usual risks of anaesthesia, bleeding and injury to nearby organs such as the bowel and bladder. Your team weighs whether this could delay or complicate your cancer treatment.
Who it does not suit
It is not used when the cancer involves the womb, cervix or ovaries, as in cervical or womb cancer. It is usually not suggested for women past the age when pregnancy is likely, or for anyone who does not wish to carry a pregnancy. Previous abdominal surgery or scarring can also rule it out.
What it does not protect against
Chemotherapy can still damage the ovaries wherever they sit. If strong chemotherapy is planned, egg or embryo freezing may matter more, and some women do both.
Leave a number, we will call you
One field. No form to fill in, and no charge for the call.
Commonly believed
What do families often assume about this operation?
"It is new, so it must be the most advanced choice."
New means less is known, not that it works better. Established options such as egg freezing and ovarian transposition have far more experience behind them. A newer operation is worth asking about, but only alongside those.
"If the womb is moved, a pregnancy later is certain."
The operation aims to keep the possibility open. It cannot make it certain. The ovaries may still be affected, the womb may not recover fully, and the cancer treatment itself shapes when pregnancy is safe to try.
"Any hospital that does keyhole surgery can do this."
This is a highly specialised procedure. It needs a surgical team with specific training and a radiation team that plans around it. Ask directly whether a centre has done it before and how its patients are followed up.
"Asking about fertility will slow down the cancer treatment."
Asking takes one conversation. The team can tell you quickly what fits your timeline. Raising it before treatment starts keeps more options open than raising it afterwards.
Before you decide
What should you ask if this option is mentioned?
Take these to the appointment. A family member can note the answers.
About the centre
Has this team done the operation before, and is it offered within a research study with its own consent and follow-up? Ask who you would call if something felt wrong at home.
About your cancer plan
Will adding it change when radiation starts, and how will it fit around chemotherapy and the main operation?
About the alternatives
What would egg freezing, embryo freezing or moving only the ovaries offer instead, and could any of them be combined? Ask how long each would take.
About later
When would it be safe to try for a pregnancy, and who would look after that pregnancy? Pregnancies after this operation are usually treated as high risk and watched closely.
Did you know
While the womb sits in the upper abdomen, periods continue and drain through a small opening near the belly button. Women are shown how to care for this opening, and most manage it at home with simple pads.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about uterine transposition
Is uterine transposition available in India?
It is done at very few centres anywhere in the world, and availability changes as experience grows. If your team thinks it could apply, ask them to tell you which centres offer it and whether it is part of a study. Do not delay your cancer treatment while searching for it.
Does this mean my cancer treatment will be delayed?
The operation has to fit before radiation, so the team plans it carefully around your start date. Whether it would cause a meaningful delay depends on your cancer and how urgent treatment is. Only your treating team can judge that, and they will say if the timing does not work.
Will I still get periods while the womb is moved?
Usually yes, if the ovaries keep working. The blood drains through a small opening made near the belly button. Some teams use medicines to pause periods during this time. You will be shown how to keep the area clean and told what changes to report.
How is it different from ovarian transposition?
Ovarian transposition moves only the ovaries, which protects eggs and hormones but leaves the womb in the radiation field. Uterine transposition moves the womb as well, aiming to keep the chance of carrying a pregnancy. It is a much bigger undertaking, with two operations and less evidence behind it.
Can it be done for cervical cancer?
No. In cervical cancer the cancer sits in the part of the womb that would be moved, so the operation does not apply. Women with early cervical cancer have other fertility-sparing options, which depend on the size and type of the tumour. Your gynaecological oncologist can explain them.
What happens if the womb does not survive the move?
If the womb loses its blood supply, it usually has to be removed. Your cancer treatment would continue. If eggs or embryos were frozen beforehand, a pregnancy carried by another woman may still be possible later, within the rules that apply in India.
Is it covered by Aarogyasri or insurance?
Because it is experimental, cover is uncertain and often depends on whether it is part of a study. Schemes such as Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS and EHS, and cashless insurers, usually cover approved cancer care. Call the helpline and we will help you check your own cover.
Who should be part of this decision?
Your surgical oncologist, radiation oncologist and a fertility specialist should all be involved. Many women also want their husband or a parent in the room. There is a lot to weigh, and it is reasonable to ask for a second conversation before you decide.
Meet the Specialists
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Surgical Oncologist
Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.
Book Free ConsultationBook an appointment with our specialist
Share your name and number — we'll call you back within 30 minutes to schedule your consultation.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute — Fertility issues in girls and women with cancer
- American Cancer Society — Fertility and sexual side effects
- Cancer.Net — Dating, sex and reproduction
- Cancer Research UK — Bowel 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
Ovarian transposition before pelvic radiationThe established option that moves only the ovariesEgg freezing before cancer treatmentProtects eggs from radiation and chemotherapyWhy the window closes before treatment startsHow much time each option needsTalking to your oncologist about fertilityHow to raise it earlyOncofertility SurgeryEvery page in this guide
Talk to us
Pelvic radiation planned and thinking about fertility?
Tell us what has been found so far and when treatment is due. We will help you reach the right specialist before radiation starts. One helpline serves every CION centre.