Laparoscopic Radical Hysterectomy
Radical Hysterectomy is a procedure in which the uterus is removed through surgery. It is the final solution to treat cancers affecting the female reproductive system. Cancer may affect ovaries, fallopian tubes or cervix, usually chemotherapy or radiation procedures are implemented, if they fail the final option would be a radical hysterectomy. Cervical cancer is becoming a silent killer as it is difficult to detect the same in initial stages and as it progress it causes havoc. To stem out the effects of cervical cancer or any malignancies, the oncologists in consultation with the gynecologists go in for radical hysterectomy procedures.
Why is hysterectomy required or suggested ?
The gynecologist thoroughly screens the patients by using various reports obtained from an ultrasound scan, blood reports and arrives at a decision. Hysterectomy is suggested if a woman’s situation becomes precarious or dangerous by its presence in the body. The woman may be suffering from :
- Malignant tumors in cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes
- Fibroids that may be dangerous or may show signs of tumors
- Benign tumors of large size that cause pain or swelling in the uterus
- Cancers present in the endometrial tract or region
- Endometriosis
- Thickening in the wall of uterus
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Cysts big in size
- Chronic pelvic pain that does not subside
- To prevent such complications from progressing further, a radical hysterectomy may be the only option. As an English saying goes “A nick in time saves nine, removal of the uterus at the apt time saves many women from the untimely death of cervical cancer, or any uterus related complications. It should be noted that the second largest problem which kills a woman is cervical cancer, and radical hysterectomy is an apt procedure to stem out its effects at initial stages itself.
Types of Hysterectomy procedures followed worldwide :
The word hysterectomy means removal of the uterus. Depending upon the prognosis of the patient, the surgeons decide the kind of hysterectomy that has to be performed, whether if partial or total removal is a requisite or not.
- Supra-cervical or subtotal hysterectomy: The upper segment of the uterus is detached leaving the cervix in its place.
- Total Hysterectomy: In this procedure the uterus and the cervix or detached.
- Radical Hysterectomy: Radical hysterectomy is a branch of oncology. The entire uterus, tissues lining the uterus on all sides, the cervix, the upper vaginal lining is removed from the body to prevent malignancy.
- Oophorectomy: The removal of ovaries in the case of existing ovarian cancer or to prevent the onset of the same may be considered.
The Procedure of performing radical hysterectomy:
Radical hysterectomy is performed to combat the spread of cervical cancer. It ensures the patient is cancer-free, as chemotherapy or radiation may not do the similar good. It is an extensive and time-consuming procedure in comparison with abdominal hysterectomy.
