What is removed
Uterus, cervix, parametrial tissue and a vaginal cuff, with pelvic lymph node dissection or sentinel node mapping. Ureters are dissected and preserved, and nerve-sparing technique is used where oncologically appropriate to protect bladder function.
Selection and evidence
Trial evidence has shown worse outcomes with minimally invasive radical hysterectomy in some cervical cancers, so the approach is chosen strictly by tumour size, stage and guideline recommendation rather than by preference. Robotic access is used for endometrial cancer staging and selected small cervical tumours; open surgery is advised where indicated.
Recovery
Discharge is usually within one to three days, with a short period of catheterisation in nerve-sparing cases. Return to light activity takes two to three weeks; adjuvant radiotherapy depends on final pathology.
Common questions
- Can fertility be preserved?
- In very early cervical cancer, trachelectomy may be an option for selected patients wishing to conceive. This is discussed before any definitive surgery.
- Are ovaries always removed?
- Not always. Ovarian preservation is considered in younger patients depending on tumour type and stage.
This page is general education, reviewed by Dr. Ishaan Allahabadi, MCh Surgical Oncology (Edge Hill, UK) · MS Surgery · MBBS (Accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of England). It is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Treatment decisions are made after reviewing your imaging and pathology, in a multidisciplinary tumour board.