Gynec oncology

Minimally invasive surgery is a modern surgical technique that uses small incisions and advanced tools to perform complex procedures with precision and minimal disruption to surrounding tissues. Methods like laparoscopy and robotic-assisted surgery employ tiny cameras and specialized instruments to access internal organs, providing surgeons with enhanced visibility and control. This approach offers numerous benefits, including reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and lower risks of infection and complications.

Surgery for uterine cancer, typically the first line of treatment, aims to remove the cancerous tumor and prevent its spread. The most common surgical procedure is a hysterectomy, which involves the removal of the uterus. Depending on the stage and extent of the cancer, a total hysterectomy may also involve removing the cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes (salpingo-oophorectomy), and sometimes nearby lymph nodes. In early-stage uterine cancer, surgery is often curative, but more advanced stages may require additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery, are increasingly used to reduce recovery times, minimize pain, and shorten hospital stays, offering patients quicker returns to daily life.

Surgery for cervical cancer typically involves the removal of the tumor and surrounding tissues to prevent cancer spread. The type of surgery depends on the cancer’s stage, size, and whether the patient wishes to preserve fertility. For early-stage cervical cancer, a common procedure is a conization or LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure), which removes the cancerous tissue from the cervix. In more advanced stages, a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, cervix, and sometimes surrounding structures like ovaries or lymph nodes) may be necessary. For women with localized cervical cancer, radical hysterectomy is often performed, which also involves removal of part of the vagina and surrounding tissues. Minimally invasive options, such as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery, offer quicker recovery, less pain, and smaller scars compared to traditional open surgery.

Surgery for vulvar cancer typically involves the removal of the cancerous tumor and surrounding tissue, with the goal of achieving clear margins while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The extent of the surgery depends on the size and stage of the cancer. For early-stage vulvar cancer, a local excision may be performed to remove the tumor along with margin of healthy tissue. In more advanced cases, a radical vulvectomy, which involves the removal of a larger portion or all of the vulva, may be necessary. Additionally, lymph node dissection may be performed to check for cancer spread to the lymph nodes in the groin. Minimally invasive surgery, such as robotic-assisted procedures, is becoming more common and offers benefits like reduced recovery time, less pain, and smaller incisions. After surgery, reconstructive surgery may be considered to restore appearance and function, improving the patient’s quality of life.

Surgery for ovarian cancer is a crucial part of the treatment plan, especially for early-stage cancer. In early-stage ovarian cancer, a total abdominal hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes) is often performed, along with the removal of nearby lymph nodes and other affected tissues. For advanced ovarian cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is given to reduce the tumour burden and then debulking surgery is done which aims to remove as much tumor mass as possible to improve the effectiveness of subsequent chemotherapy. Minimally invasive options, such as laparoscopy or robotic-assisted surgery, may be used for smaller tumors, providing the benefits of smaller incisions, reduced pain, and faster recovery. Surgery is often followed by chemotherapy to target any remaining cancer cells. The extent of the surgery depends on the stage of the cancer, and fertility-sparing options may be considered for younger patients with early-stage cancer who wish to preserve their ability to have children.