Surgery

Surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy) is the most common treatment for endometrial cancer. The surgeon will also remove the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and often the pelvic lymph nodes, which are examined to find out the extent of the cancer and to help plan your treatment. If examination of tissue determines that more aggressive cancer still may be in the lymph system, a lymphadenectomy may be done to remove and examine additional lymph nodes. Surgery has the highest cure rate of all treatments for endometrial cancer.

Surgery Choices

Hysterectomy with removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy)

Lymphadenectomy (removal of lymph nodes)

What To Think About

Laparoscopic surgery is an option for treating your endometrial cancer. This surgery is done with a tiny camera and special instruments. The surgeon puts these tools through several small incisions (cuts) in the belly. Some surgeons do this surgery by guiding robotic arms that hold the surgery tools. This is called robot-assisted laparoscopy.

Most women have their ovaries removed after a diagnosis of endometrial cancer to make sure the cancer has not spread to the ovaries, to reduce the production of estrogen, and to slow cancer growth. And some women who have had endometrial cancer may be at greater risk of developing ovarian cancer.

You will not be able to become pregnant or continue to menstruate after a hysterectomy. If you have not yet gone through menopause, it will begin as soon as your ovaries are removed. For more information, see the topic Menopause and Perimenopause.