Gynae Onco Surgery

Gynecologic oncology surgery focuses on treating cancers of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes. Surgeons specializing in this field undergo extensive training to perform complex procedures such as radical hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and lymph node dissection with precision. Advanced techniques like laparoscopy and robotic surgery are often employed to minimize invasiveness and enhance recovery.

Multidisciplinary collaboration between radiation and medical oncologists, and other specialists is crucial for comprehensive care and improved outcomes in gynecologic oncology surgery.

Significance of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery

The importance of gynecologic oncologic surgery lies in the specialized treatment that gynecologic oncologists provide for cancers of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and vulva. This allows them to treat the illness by providing the most effective therapies. Moreover, they have an exceptional track record in managing the associated women-related symptoms and provide thorough palliative care that improves the effectiveness of the treatment and the available supportive care throughout the cancer journey.

Types of Gynecologic Cancers and Surgical Procedures

1. Ovarian Cancer: Surgical procedures for ovarian cancer include:

• Oophorectomy: Removal of one or both ovaries.
• Salpingo-oophorectomy: Removal of one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes.
• Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus may be performed in certain cases, particularly if the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries.
• Staging and Removal of Metastatic Sites: Surgical procedures like omentectomy, peritonectomy, and lymphadenectomy are common protocols in advanced ovarian cancer management. These procedures help ascertain disease spread and have the added advantage of improved treatment planning, which can drastically influence outcomes for those with advanced stages of the disease.

2. Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Surgical options for uterine cancer include:

• Total hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus and cervix.
• Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: Removal of both fallopian tubes and ovaries.
• Lymphadenectomy: Removal of pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph nodes to assess spread.
• Endometrial biopsy: A diagnostic procedure to obtain a tissue sample from the uterus to confirm diagnosis of endometrial cancer.

3. Cervical Cancer: Surgical treatments for cervical cancer include:

• Radical hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus, cervix, part of the vagina, and surrounding tissues combined with lymphadenectomy.
• Cone biopsy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP): Excisional procedures for precancerous lesions or early-stage cervical cancer.

4. Vulvar and Vaginal Cancer: Surgical options for vulvar and vaginal cancers may include:

• Vulvectomy: Removal of part or all of the vulva.
• Vaginectomy: Removing part or the whole vagina.
• Lymphadenectomy: Evaluating and taking out lymph nodes in that area.

Benefits

Benefits of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery include:

• Curative Intent: The surgery to remove the tumor might cure cancer, or it might control it for a long time if it's caught early.
• Survival Improvement: Surgery, chemo, radiation, and targeted therapies help people live longer and lower their chance of cancer recurrence.
• Quality of Life: Getting rid of symptoms improves life. Sometimes, reproductive function is saved, which helps with mental health, too. All this improves the quality of life for gynecologic cancer patients.