Penn Medicine is proud to be a national leader in minimally invasive surgery techniques, and our surgeons treat a high number of people with uterine and endometrial cancer.
Minimally invasive surgery can result in less pain, fewer complications, and shorter recovery time. Our surgeons’ depth of experience allows them to offer minimally invasive surgical options to people with complex medical histories or existing medical conditions, such as gastric bypass, dialysis or transplants.
Hysterectomy for uterine and endometrial cancer
Surgery is the most common first step in treating uterine and endometrial cancer, and total hysterectomy is the most common procedure.
A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove the uterus and the cervix. When used to treat uterine and endometrial cancer, hysterectomy will most often include removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, as well.
Minimally invasive surgery for uterine and endometrial cancer
At Penn, hysterectomies are most often performed using one of two minimally invasive techniques:
- Laparoscopic surgery, which creates a few small incisions in the abdomen
- Robotic-assisted surgery, which allows for better visualization of the area and more precise actions
The type of surgery chosen will depend on the stage of cancer.
During this procedure, your surgeon will also examine the area to see if the cancer has spread. This may include a lymph node biopsy.