Gynaecological oncological surgery is the subspecialty of oncology in which cancer types originating from the female reproductive organs and precancerous formations are addressed by surgical means. This disease group, also known as women’s cancers, can originate from the uterus, the ovary, the cervix, the vulva and the vagina. Since each tumour type carries different biological characteristics, treatment planning is shaped in the light of individual data.
Which Diseases Does Gynaecological Cancer Cover?
Gynaecological cancers describe the malignant tumours developing in the organs of the female reproductive system. The main diagnoses evaluated under this heading in the medical literature are as follows: endometrial (uterine) cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical (uterine cervix) cancer, vulvar cancer and vaginal cancer. The clinical course, staging criteria and surgical approach of each differ from one another. For this reason, in the post-diagnosis process, carrying out an assessment specific to the type of disease is essential.
Ovarian Cancer Treatment: Surgical Approach and Staging
Ovarian cancer is a tumour type with a high rate of being diagnosed at an advanced stage among gynaecological cancers. Since its giving symptoms at an early stage can remain limited, the diagnosis can mostly be made after the disease has shown spread. Surgical treatment undertakes a central role in the management of ovarian cancer; it can be applied for the purpose of both staging and reducing the tumour burden.
Which surgical approach is evaluated is determined in line with the stage of the disease, the spread of the tumour within the abdominal cavity and the patient’s general clinical condition. In cases deemed suitable, cytoreductive surgery can be addressed as part of treatment planning. The post-surgery process is generally carried out together with a medical oncology assessment.
How Is Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer Surgery Performed?
Endometrial cancer is defined as the most common of the female reproductive system cancers. Post-menopausal vaginal bleeding is among the main clinical findings that require this diagnosis to be investigated. Since the disease is mostly diagnosed at an early stage, a suitable surgical assessment can be carried out in good time.
In surgical planning, the joint assessment of the uterus and surrounding structures is essential. Which of the laparoscopic or open surgical approaches is applied is determined according to the histological characteristics of the tumour and the patient’s clinical data. Minimally invasive approaches can be taken within the scope of assessment in suitable cases.
Cervical (Uterine Cervix) Cancer Surgery
Cervical cancer is a gynaecological cancer type known to be associated with HPV infection and that can be detected at an early stage through regular screening programmes. The Pap smear and the HPV test are among the basic methods resorted to in the screening process.
The surgical treatment options vary according to the stage of the disease and the patient’s wish to have children. While in early-stage cases approaches aimed at preserving fertility can be evaluated under certain clinical conditions, in more advanced stages more comprehensive surgical options can come into consideration. Besides surgery, radiation oncology and medical oncology approaches can also form part of treatment planning.
Surgery in Vulvar and Vaginal Cancer Treatment
Vulvar cancer, although it is one of the less frequently seen types of gynaecological cancers, is a disease that carries the risk of its diagnosis being delayed. Surgical treatment is planned according to the location and extent of the tumour and lymph node involvement. In the current surgical oncology understanding, the preservation of functional and cosmetic results is also among the elements taken into account in treatment planning.
Vaginal cancer, in turn, although relatively rare, may require a different clinical management process from other gynaecological cancers. The situations in which radiotherapy and surgery are evaluated together are addressed with a multidisciplinary approach.
Laparoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery in Gynaecological Cancers
Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive method evaluated in gynaecological oncological surgery in the presence of suitable clinical conditions. This approach, carried out through smaller incisions compared to open surgery, is evaluated as a preferable option in certain patient groups.
In which patients the laparoscopic approach can be applied is determined in line with the stage and histological type of the tumour and the surgical technical requirements. This assessment is made without compromising on oncological principles.
The Multidisciplinary Approach in Gynaecological Cancer Treatment
Gynaecological oncological surgery refers not only to the operation process, but to a comprehensive process extending from the pre-diagnosis assessment to surgical planning and from the post-operation monitoring to supportive treatments. For this process to be able to be carried out soundly, the joint assessment of the fields of surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology and radiology is essential.
Tumour board discussions lay the ground for each patient’s individual data to be addressed jointly by different specialties. This structure supports the treatment plan being created in line with scientific guidelines and by taking patient-specific conditions into account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of gynaecological cancer? The symptoms differ according to the type of tumour. Abnormal vaginal bleeding, bleeding seen particularly in the post-menopausal period, pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, unexplained weight loss and pain during intercourse can be counted among the main findings that require a specialist assessment. These findings do not always mean cancer; however, an early assessment is important.
Why is ovarian cancer diagnosed late? Ovarian cancer generally does not give a noticeable symptom at an early stage. Findings such as abdominal swelling or decreased appetite can be attributed to other causes. Because of this characteristic, the disease is mostly diagnosed after it has reached an advanced stage. Regular gynaecological check-ups are important in this respect.
Is it possible to become pregnant after uterine cancer surgery? The answer to this question depends largely on the stage and histological type of the disease and the scope of the surgical approach applied. In certain early-stage cases, fertility-preserving surgical options can be taken into assessment. However, this decision is shaped within the framework of a multidisciplinary assessment, by taking into account individual clinical data and the patient’s priorities.
Can cervical cancer be prevented? The HPV vaccine is a prevention tool that provides protection against HPV infection, which is one of the most important causes of cervical cancer. In addition, regular Pap smear and HPV testing allow precancerous changes to be detected at an early stage. Regular participation in screening programmes plays a determining role in this respect.
Can laparoscopic surgery always be applied in gynaecological cancers? No. Whether the minimally invasive approach can be applied is evaluated in line with the stage and histological type of the tumour, the surgical technical requirements and the patient’s clinical characteristics. Oncological principles continue to be a priority under all conditions; the surgical method is chosen within this framework.
How many specialists take part in gynaecological cancer treatment? Gynaecological oncological surgery is not limited to the area of authority of a single branch. A multidisciplinary structure in which surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology and radiology specialists carry out a joint assessment plays a determining role in the creation of a correct treatment plan.
The First Step for an Assessment in the Case of a Suspicion of Gynaecological Cancer
In the case of a diagnosis or suspicion of gynaecological cancer, it is possible to start the clinical assessment process together with your diagnostic documents and current examination results. This consultation contributes to the creation of a general framework regarding the treatment options.
You can get in touch for an assessment and an appointment within the scope of gynaecological oncological surgery.
This text is for general information purposes and does not replace a medical assessment.
