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Overview
What is Uterine Cancer?
- Uterine cancer begins in the lining of the uterus (womb)
- It occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and may spread if not treated early
What Causes Uterine Cancer?
The exact cause is not always known, but it is often linked to:
- Hormonal imbalance (excess estrogen)
- Obesity (excessive body fat)
- Diabetes
- Genetic factors
- Increasing age
Who is at Risk?
- Older age
- Obesity
- Family history of uterine or colon cancer
- Irregular menstrual cycles
Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding (especially after menopause)
- Heavy or prolonged periods
- Pelvic pain or pressure
How is it Diagnosed?
- Pelvic examination
- Ultrasound scan
- Endometrial biopsy (tissue test)
- CT scan / MRI (to assess spread)
How is this Condition Managed?
- Regular check-ups
- Surgery (hysterectomy)
- Treatment using drugs to kill cancer cells
- Treatment using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells
- Hormonal therapy
Uterine Cancer Surgery (Hysterectomy)
What is it?
This surgery removes the uterus and may include surrounding tissues to treat cancer while preventing its spread.
Why is this Procedure Done?
A doctor may recommend surgery to:
- Remove cancer completely
- Stop the disease from spreading
- Improve survival and quality of life
Types of Surgery
Open hysterectomy: Done using a large cut on the side or on the stomach.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy: Uses small cuts in the stomach area through which a camera-like device is inserted while performing the surgery.
Robotic-assisted hysterectomy: Uses small cuts in the stomach area through which a camera-like device is inserted, with robotic instruments controlled by the surgeon.
| Feature | Open | Laparoscopic | Robotic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut | Large | Small | Very small |
| Blood Loss | Higher | Moderate | Lower |
| Healing | Slow | Faster | Fastest |
| Precision | Moderate | Good | Highly precise |
| Risk of Scars | Large | Small | Low / Minimal |
Advantages of Robotic Hysterectomy
- Less pain
- Less blood loss
- Smaller cuts
- Shorter hospital stay (may leave the same day)
- Faster recovery (3–4 weeks)
Procedure Details
Instructions Before the Procedure
- Your vital signs will be checked
- Doctor will review your medicines
- Inform about allergies
- Stop smoking
- Fasting for several hours before surgery
Step-by-Step Overview
- You are given general anaesthesia (put to sleep)
- Small cuts are made in the abdomen
- A camera and robotic instruments are inserted
- Surgeon removes the uterus and affected tissues
- Incisions are closed
Risks & Complications
Common Risks
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to nearby organs (bladder or bowel)
Rare but Serious Complications
- Excess blood loss
- Blood clots
- Severe infection
- Reaction to anaesthesia
Benefits and Outcomes
Expected Results
- Removal of cancer
- Relief from symptoms
- Improved disease control
Success Rates
Early-stage uterine cancer has high survival rates (often greater than 80–90%).
Quality of Life
- Reduced pain and bleeding
- Faster return to daily activities
- Improved overall well-being
Hospital Stay & Recovery
During Hospital Stay
- Fasting on the day of procedure
- Pre-surgery preparation
- Consent and final checks
- Monitoring for redness or swelling around the wound
- Note for small amount of bleeding from vagina (dark and less heavy)
- Regular check-ups by medical team
Hospital Stay Duration
Usually 1–2 days.
Recovery Timeline
- Early recovery: 1–2 weeks
- Gradual improvement: 3–4 weeks
- Full recovery: 5–6 weeks
Activity Restrictions
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Avoid strenuous exercise
- Gradually increase activity
Follow-up Schedule
- Every 1–2 weeks initially
- Frequent visits as required
Lifestyle & Prevention
Diet
- Fruits and vegetables
- Lean protein such as chicken, fish and beans
- Plenty of fluids
Exercise
- Walking
- Light activity initially
- Gradual increase in movement
Long-Term Care
- Regular follow-ups
- Monitoring recovery
- Avoid lifting heavy weight
Preventing Recurrence
- Maintain healthy weight
- Follow doctor's advice
- Regular health check-ups
When to Contact a Doctor (Red Flags)
Contact your doctor immediately if you notice:
- High fever
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Redness, swelling, discharge, or pain around the cut
Myths vs Facts
Uterine cancer and cervical cancer are the same.
They are different types of cancer. Uterine cancer occurs in the uterus, while cervical cancer occurs in the cervix (the lower part of the uterus).
Surgery is not always needed for uterine cancer.
Surgery (usually hysterectomy) is the main treatment and is often used to remove the cancer.
A robot performs the surgery on its own.
Robotic surgery uses robotic arms and a camera, but the surgeon controls every movement during the procedure.
Robotic surgery replaces traditional surgery completely.
Robotic surgery is an approach used for certain procedures and does not replace the surgeon or all other surgical techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common symptom of endometrial cancer?
The most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause or between periods.
Can endometrial cancer be cured if found early?
Yes. When found early, surgery to remove the uterus can often cure the cancer.
What is robotic-assisted hysterectomy?
Robotic-assisted hysterectomy is a minimally invasive surgery where the surgeon uses robotic arms and a camera to remove the uterus through small cuts.
What are the benefits of robotic hysterectomy?
It usually causes less pain, smaller scars, less blood loss, and faster recovery compared to open surgery.
References
- 1. Endometrial cancer. Available from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometrial-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352461
- 2. Uterine cancer diagnosis. Available from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16409-uterine-cancer
- 3. Abdominal hysterectomy. Available from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/abdominal-hysterectomy/about/pac-20384559
- 4. Laparoscopic hysterectomy. Available from https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/hysterectomy/what-happens
- 5. Robotic hysterectomy. Available from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/robotic-hysterectomy/about/pac-20384544
- 6. Takmaz Ö, Güngör M. Robotic versus laparoscopic hysterectomy; comparison of early surgical outcomes. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2020;21(4):260–264.
- 7. Robotic assisted hysterectomy. Available from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21057-robotic-assisted-hysterectomy
- 8. Safdieh J, Lee YC, Wong A, et al. A Comparison of Outcomes Between Open Hysterectomy and Robotic-Assisted Hysterectomy for Endometrial Cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2017;27(7):1508–1516.
- 9. Recovery time after robotic hysterectomy. Available from https://www.apollo247.com/health-topics/endometriosis/recovery-time-after-robotic-hysterectomy
- 10. Hysterectomy recovery. Available from https://int.livhospital.com/hysterectomy-recovery-best-amazing-timeline