Uterine Cancer Treatment

The primary treatment for uterine cancer is surgical removal of the affected tissues and/organs surrounding it. At The Lacks Cancer Center, our surgeons have expertise in the latest surgical techniques including laparotomy, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and lymphadenectomy. In addition to surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of these therapies may also be used.

Laparotomy. An incision is made in the wall of the abdomen to explore it for signs of disease. Sometimes organs are removed or tissue samples are taken.

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy. The uterus and cervix are removed in this procedure. Robot-assisted surgery with the da Vinci^® Surgical System may be the most effective, least invasive treatment option. Through tiny, 1-2 cm incisions, surgeons using the da Vinci System can operate with greater precision and control, minimizing the pain and risk associated with large incisions while increasing the likelihood of a fast recovery and excellent clinical outcomes. Learn more about hysterectomies, here.
 

Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy. The ovaries and both fallopian tubes are removed in this procedure.

Lymphadenectomy or Lymph Node Dissection. Lymph nodes are removed and examined to see whether they contain cancer cells. For a lymph node dissection, either some of the lymph nodes in the tumor area are removed (regional lymph node dissection), or most or all of the lymph nodes in the tumor area are removed (radical lymph node dissection).

Chemotherapy. This treatment uses potent drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Typically, one or more drugs are administered intravenously (directly into the veins) in a series of treatments over a period of weeks or months, with breaks in-between so that the patient’s body can recover.

Radiation Therapy. The goal of radiation therapy is to kill cancer cells while harming as little normal tissue as possible. This therapy may be used before, during and/or after chemotherapy, and is delivered in one of two ways—depending on the type and stage of cancer being treated. Radiation can either be administered to the affected area(s) from outside the body or, in other instances, inserted through a needle or catheter into or near the cancer.

Hormone Therapy. Some uterine cancers (both endometrial and sarcomas) are stimulated to grow by the hormone estrogen. Treatment with substances that reduce the production of estrogen, or block its effect upon tissue can be used to slow or stop the growth of any cancers remaining in the body after surgery.

Seek the most aggressive treatments available from our multidisciplinary gynecologic team with a referral from your primary care physician or with a self-referral by calling 1-877-LACKS-MI or 616-685-LACK(S).