A total hysterectomy is a procedure that deals with removal of a woman’s uterus, cervix and surrounding tissue. This procedure may be recommended to treat gynecologic cancers such as uterine cancer, as well as endometriosis, fibroid tumors, abnormal vaginal bleeding and chronic pelvic pain.
Whether a uterine cancer patient is a candidate for a total hysterectomy depends on factors, such as the type, size, location, grade and stage of the tumor, as well as general health of the patient.
Sometimes, a total hysterectomy is performed in conjunction with other nonsurgical cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy. These treatments may be administered either prior to or after the surgery to help prevent cancer from growing, spreading or recurring.
If a total hysterectomy is recommended to address uterine cancer, a surgeon might also suggest and perform a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, a procedure that involves removal of both ovaries and both fallopian tubes during the same surgical session.
Two types of total hysterectomy surgery include:
- A simple or total abdominal hysterectomy – The uterus is removed through an incision in the abdomen.
- A vaginal hysterectomy – The uterus is removed through an incision in the vagina.
To perform these surgeries, a surgeon may use robotic assistance, or a minimally invasive technique called laparoscopy. Both the techniques are effective and safe.
When dealing with laparoscopic technique, a surgeon creates one or more tiny incisions through which they insert a tiny camera and specialized instruments, and then remove the uterus while viewing the surgical site on a large screen.
Women who are confused about their ovarian cancer treatment options are welcome to consult with the gynecologic cancer experts at AOI. We take a multispecialty approach to treat cancer and provide the latest advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support in all our cancer hospitals.
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