Hysterectomy for Ovarian Cancer

A hysterectomy is the removal of your Reference uterus Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window. The goal of the initial surgery is to remove all visible Reference ovarian cancer Opens New Window. Surgery confirms the diagnosis and how far the cancer has spread. It is also the initial treatment for the cancer. Having an experienced Reference gynecologic oncologist Opens New Window will help you get the best possible treatment and live longer than having a doctor who doesn't have as much experience treating ovarian cancer.^{Reference 1}

Surgery for ovarian cancer usually includes:

• A Reference hysterectomy Opens New Window, which removes your uterus, and a Reference salpingo-oophorectomy, which removes your ovaries and fallopian tubes.
• Taking a sample of Reference peritoneal fluid Opens New Window (peritoneal washings) from the abdominal (belly) cavity, to look for cancer cells.
• Removing and checking the pelvic and aortic Reference lymph nodes, to see if the cancer has spread.
• Checking the abdominal organs and tissues for cancer cells. Reference Biopsies Opens New Window may be done.
• Removing and checking the fatty tissue (omentum) attached to some of the abdominal organs, to see if the cancer has spread.
• An appendectomy, which removes your appendix.

Your long-term outcome (prognosis) depends on the type and stage of your cancer, your age, your overall health, and the amount of cancer that remains after surgery.

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