Incidences of gynecological cancers are increasing rapidly. Each 1 out of 4 women is diagnosed with gynecological cancer (cancers that start in a woman’s reproductive system). Gynecological cancers are classified based on the origin of the tumor, like cervical cancer, uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, etc. In India, cervical cancer takes the life of one woman every 8 minutes.
What is laparoscopic surgery?
This surgery is a minimally invasive technique of performing surgery that is assisted by a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a thin, long tube that has a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera that sends images to a video monitor. To insert a laparoscope, small incision is made in the abdominal wall, and the surgery is performed. Laparoscopic surgery has a low-risk, requires only tiny incisions, hospital stay is shorter (2-3 days), the pain and scars are minimal, and the patient can resume daily routine activity within a week time.
Laparoscopic Surgery in Gynaecological Cancers Treatment:
Gynecological cancers can be treated with laparoscopic surgery. The laparoscopic surgeries are performed for all the endometrial cancers (uterus), small-sized (<2cm) cervical cancers, and small-sized (<8cm) early-stage ovarian cancers. It is also performed for benign and borderline tumors.
Let’s get into more details:
Laparoscopic Surgery in Ovarian Cancer treatment
Laparoscopic surgery can be used in the treatment of ovarian cancer depending on the stage and the surgical goals of the procedure.
In the early-stage, tumors with size less than 8 cms and having tumors confined only to the ovaries only may be treated by laparoscopic staging surgery. This surgery may involve removal of the uterus, ovaries, peritoneal fluid, lymph nodes, and omentum, and the tumor is removed in an endo bag without the spillage.
In the advanced-stage, laparoscopy is used to confirm the diagnosis and determine resectability.
Laparoscopic Surgery in Uterine Cancer or Endometrial Cancer Treatment
More than 95% of uterine endometrial cancers are treated with total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TLHBSO) and retroperitoneal lymph nodes removal (RPLND). In some cases, the RPLND may be avoided by doing a sentinel nodal study.
In some cases of uterine cancer, in which general anesthesia can not be given due to the severe associated medical disease like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, can be treated with vaginal hysterectomy/laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (LAVH/BSO).
Laparoscopic Surgery in Cervical Cancer Treatment
Cervical cancers like precancerous lesions, micro-invasive, and small-sized (less than two cms) are treated by simple, type I-II and type III laparoscopic radical hysterectomy followed by pelvic lymph nodes removal respectively.
For patients who want to retain the uterus for their future fertility are treated by radical vaginal trachelectomy or Dargent operation and laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy. In the Dargent operation, a laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection is made, this is followed by the surgical resection of the cervix and upper vagina.
An endocervical and endometrial sampling just above the radical trachelectomy specimen is taken to stage cancer.
Why choose Prolife Cancer Centre?
At Prolife Cancer Centre we use highly specialized, modern diagnostic services for cancer treatment for cancer patients. Our multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists is highly qualified to help you fight cancer the right way.
