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Is Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy Advisable For Uterine Cancer?
Question: Hi Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
This is XXXX. You recently helped me with my Mom who has been diagnosed with an aggressive uterine cancer. Everything is going well so far. We had her first appt at Cedars-Sinai on Wednesday. The Doctor wanted to be sure the cancer hadn't spread so she ordered a PET. The PET was on Thursday and the Doctor called on Friday to say the PET Scans looked great, no spreading and she is scheduled for a minimally invasive hysterectomy next Thursday using a robot called the Da Vinci. I've read up on this technology and the jury is still out as to the benefits vs risks. I asked the Doctor how many surgeries she's done with this technology and she said about 20.
Do you believe this is the right approach for a 76 year old female with poorly differentiated adno carcinoma - grade 3? They have her scheduled for the surgery to be performed next Thursday. We are very happy the process is moving along so quickly and the PET validated nothing had spread, just wondering if this is the type of procedure she should be having or if there are any other questions we should be considering.
Do you think the ovaries will be removed and if not, can we request something like this?
You have helped so much with you knowledge and concern.
Thank you again Dr. XXXXXXX
This is XXXX. You recently helped me with my Mom who has been diagnosed with an aggressive uterine cancer. Everything is going well so far. We had her first appt at Cedars-Sinai on Wednesday. The Doctor wanted to be sure the cancer hadn't spread so she ordered a PET. The PET was on Thursday and the Doctor called on Friday to say the PET Scans looked great, no spreading and she is scheduled for a minimally invasive hysterectomy next Thursday using a robot called the Da Vinci. I've read up on this technology and the jury is still out as to the benefits vs risks. I asked the Doctor how many surgeries she's done with this technology and she said about 20.
Do you believe this is the right approach for a 76 year old female with poorly differentiated adno carcinoma - grade 3? They have her scheduled for the surgery to be performed next Thursday. We are very happy the process is moving along so quickly and the PET validated nothing had spread, just wondering if this is the type of procedure she should be having or if there are any other questions we should be considering.
Do you think the ovaries will be removed and if not, can we request something like this?
You have helped so much with you knowledge and concern.
Thank you again Dr. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Yes, it is a sound approach in competent hands.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank you for your kind and appreciative words.
I am again sorry as I was caught out over the weekend without internet for a few hours, so the slightly delay in my response.
PET is a fine way to confirm that the cancer is contained within the uterus.
Now, Robotics is a newly evolved science, you are right.
There are few people who have mastered this technique, but again, for those who have, the outcomes are far better than open surgery.
20 surgeries is a nice number, and the competence and confidence matters.
Increasingly, robotic surgery is being used for gynecological cancers, due to faster recovery and less morbidity post surgery.
Please go through this link -
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/0000
That should reassure you.
The ovaries undoubtedly will be removed as part of a comprehensive radical hysterectomy that will be done for the cancer.
But it is imperative to ensure that the surgeon is not a newbie or a learner, and is quite well versed with robotics.
IF that can be gleaned from the hospital / other sources, then yes, it is fine to have her go ahead with the minimally invasive procedure.
As your mother is a reasonably healthy and fit person, the minimally invasive surgery will do its best towards making her recovery faster and better.
Feel free to sound me out further on this , or anything else, as you prepare for the surgery.
Prayers for you .
Yes, it is a sound approach in competent hands.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank you for your kind and appreciative words.
I am again sorry as I was caught out over the weekend without internet for a few hours, so the slightly delay in my response.
PET is a fine way to confirm that the cancer is contained within the uterus.
Now, Robotics is a newly evolved science, you are right.
There are few people who have mastered this technique, but again, for those who have, the outcomes are far better than open surgery.
20 surgeries is a nice number, and the competence and confidence matters.
Increasingly, robotic surgery is being used for gynecological cancers, due to faster recovery and less morbidity post surgery.
Please go through this link -
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/0000
That should reassure you.
The ovaries undoubtedly will be removed as part of a comprehensive radical hysterectomy that will be done for the cancer.
But it is imperative to ensure that the surgeon is not a newbie or a learner, and is quite well versed with robotics.
IF that can be gleaned from the hospital / other sources, then yes, it is fine to have her go ahead with the minimally invasive procedure.
As your mother is a reasonably healthy and fit person, the minimally invasive surgery will do its best towards making her recovery faster and better.
Feel free to sound me out further on this , or anything else, as you prepare for the surgery.
Prayers for you .
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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