Surgical Treatments For Uterine & Endometrial Cancer
Request a quick appointment with the specialist in Cancer of the uterus (endometrium) and cancer of the uterine Cervix, Dr. Lucas Minig, Gynecologist Oncologist expert in treatment and surgery in the city of Valencia.
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What Surgery Is Needed to Treat Uterine Cancer?
Surgical procedures for the treatment of Uterine Cancer have become significantly more advanced than they once were a few decades ago. As our understanding of the disease has improved, so has our capability to perform effective surgical intervention.
Nowadays we use minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery in almost all cases. It is also often necessary to remove the pelvic and abdominal lymph nodes according to the progression of the disease.
When is Surgery For Endometrial Cancer Recommended?
Surgical intervention is often the first line of treatment considered when a woman is diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer. Depending on the stage and development of the cancer, supplementary treatments through Chemotherapy and Radiation may be considered necessary.
In very select cases, surgery can be postponed for a limited amount of time, and fertility-sparing treatment can be considered based on the patient’s desire to have children and the extent of the cancer’s growth.
Uterus Cancer Specialist
Types of Surgery For Uterine & Endometrial Cancer
Radical Hysterectomy Procedure
In most cases, a Radical Hysterectomy is performed in women with early stage Uterine, Endometrial or Cervical Cancer. A Radical hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus with part of the surrounding tissue (parametrium) close to the bladder, the rectum, and the pelvic wall.
In most cases, this procedure is followed by the removal of pelvic lymph nodes in a procedure known as a pelvic lymphadenectomy. This is a highly-complex surgical procedure that has to be performed by gynecologic oncologists with extensive training to minimize the risk of complications during and following the procedure.
Pelvic organs, along with other essential organs in the body, are innervated by autonomic nerves. This means that they are nerves managed by our autonomic nervous system and cannot be controlled voluntarily. In the pelvis, these nerves control rectal and bladder functions, as well as generating orgasms during sexual intercourse
During a radical hysterectomy, when sectioning the tissue surrounding the uterus, there is the potential risk of autonomic nerves being damaged. However, the nerves can be preserved with a careful surgical technique, reducing the possibility of post-surgical complications
Radical hysterectomy is a procedure that we perform routinely through minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery
Sentinel Node Procedure for Pelvic Lymphadenectomy
The sentinel lymph node is the first lymph node in a specific region of the body that has metastasis coming from the tumor following lymphovascular space invasion. To identify and remove it, a dye is injected into the tumor that migrates to the pelvic sentinel lymph node.
From there, we proceed to its identification and removal by minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. There are often between 1 and 3 lymph nodes removed using this process, instead of the 15-20 lymph nodes that are traditionally taken out when we perform a complete extraction of pelvic lymph nodes.
The main advantage of this technique is a significant reduction in the morbidity and complications associated with the procedure.
Is It Always Necessary To Remove The Ovaries When Treating Uterine Cancer?
Good scientific evidence exists today which confirms that the extraction of the ovaries is not always necessary when performing a hysterectomy for uterine or cervical cancer in premenopausal women.
However, in some patients with endometrial cancer, the ovaries may need to be removed in young women depending on the clinical situation of the patient.
Recovery After Surgery for Uterine Cancer
Usually, if there are no post-surgical complications, the hospital stay is just one day long. However, in some cases, the patients can be discharged on the same day of the surgery.
During their hospital stay, every patient will be regularly evaluated by Dr. Minig to oversee her recovery until hospital discharge.
Are There Any Movement Restrictions After Uterine Cancer Surgery?
Today, no scientific evidence supports that free movement after laparoscopic hysterectomy increases the possibility of post-surgical complications. Therefore, patients can go back to their daily activities and movements carried out before the surgery, progressively as the pain allows them to do so.
It is possible that after endometrial cancer surgery there is light bleeding or spotting up to six months after the intervention. If there is excessive or prolonged bleeding, it is advisable to consult with a specialist.
Here you can find more information
How Long Does It Take To Heal From Uterine Cancer Surgery?
The surgical incisions during a laparoscopic surgery typically heal within 1 to 2 weeks following the surgery, but it may take 3 to 6 weeks for your body to recover fully
It is advised to avoid sexual intercourse for these 3 to 6 weeks to allow your body to heal from the procedure and reduce the risk of infection or injury.
We also recommend eating a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of water, and possibly using stool softeners as straining during bowel movements can cause undue pressure on the healing areas.
When Can I Return To Work After Uterine Cancer Surgery?
Returning to work depends on a few factors, particularly being what you do for your job. If you work in a role that does not have you carrying heavy loads or operating heavy machinery, you should be able to return to work within a few weeks or as soon as you feel capable. For jobs that involve heavy lifting, standing for long periods, or strenuous physical activity, it may take about 6 to 8 weeks before you can return to work.
What Should I Watch Out for After My Surgery?
Most patients don’t experience postoperative complications following Uterine cancer surgery when a hysterectomy is performed. However, some side effects can occur such as:
- Fever
- Urinary incontinence.
- Continuous and abundant bleeding.
- Difficulty urinating
Other rare but serious complications that require immediate medical attention might be:
- Blood clots in the legs and/or lungs
- Lesions in organs such as the bowel or bladder.
- Haematomas.
- Infection.
In either case, if these unusual symptoms appear, you should contact a medical specialist as soon as possible.
How are surgical wounds taken care of after surgery?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Uterine Cancer Surgery
How is the operation for uterine cancer?
The main treatment for endometrial cancer is surgery to remove the uterus and cervix. This operation is called a hysterectomy. Total or simple abdominal hysterectomy is the procedure in which the uterus is removed through an incision (cut) in the abdomen.
What do they take out when you have uterine cancer?
Hysterectomy. The uterus and cervix are removed when a hysterectomy is done Hysterectomy is the most common way to treat cervical cancer. There are many ways to do this surgery. Sometimes the ovaries are removed at the same time.
When can the uterus be removed?
Generally, they respond to a diagnosis or reasonable suspicion of malignant diseases, such as endometrial or cervical cancer. In these cases, it is common to perform extirpation, but it is also opted for in the case of some benign diseases that can pose certain risks.
Opinions from patients with uterine (endometrial) cancer
Doctor Lucas Minig Specialist in Surgery for uterine cancer in Valencia, Spain
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