Endometrial cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women worldwide. The incidence and death rates of endometrial cancer have increased in recent years.
To address the same Dr. Anupama Rajanbabu, Robotic Surgeon and Professor & Head of Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi joined us on a Facebook Live session on ‘Breakthrough Of Robotic-Assisted surgery In Endometrial Cancer.’
Endometriosis is the growth of tissue that is normally found in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) in a location outside of the uterine cavity.
Endometrial cancer starts when cells in the inner lining of the uterus start to grow out of control.
Risk factors for Endometrial cancer
Many factors affect the risk of developing endometrial cancer, including being obese and diabetes. This may occur because excess body fat alters your body’s balance of hormones.
If you’ve never been pregnant, you have a higher risk of endometrial cancer than someone who has had at least one pregnancy. And, it is more common in people who are overweight and less active.
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Endometrial Cancer: Most Common Symptoms
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding in a woman who has gone through menopause, between periods, after sex.
- Changes in your normal bowel or bladder patterns
Some endometrial cancers may reach an advanced stage before causing signs and symptoms. This means the cancer is big and may have spread before it causes any problems that are noticed.
Early detection improves the chances of survival.
Early Detection
If you have any of the above signs and symptoms for two weeks or longer, you must see a doctor immediately.
To find out exactly what kind of endometrial change is present, the doctor must take out some tissue so that it can be tested and looked at with a microscope. Endometrial tissue can be removed by endometrial biopsy.
Surgery for Endometrial Cancer
Surgery is the major treatment for endometrial cancer, for cutting out tumors and providing a surgical stage, which can guide the choice of postoperative adjuvant treatment.
The main treatment for endometrial cancer is surgery to take out the uterus and cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries. Lymph nodes in the pelvis and around the aorta may also need to be removed.
Earlier, surgery was done through a large cut in the belly (abdomen). The surgeon used to look at the inside of the abdomen and pelvis through narrow tubes put in through very small cuts (incisions) made in the belly.
With the advent of minimally invasive methods, surgery for endometrial cancer has evolved substantially in recent decades.
The high complexity of traditional surgeries requires time-consuming training. Robotic surgery can be a suitable alternative to compensate for the lengthy training time.
Benefits of Robotic-assisted Surgeries
Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) can provide them with the ability to perform many types of complex surgical procedures with precision and flexibility. Improved visualization helps in the preservation of nerves and other critical structures.
Robotic surgery for endometrial cancer causes less blood loss. It also requires shorter hospital stays, and less postoperative complications compared to laparotomies. Robotic technologic advantages over laparoscopic technique are most pronounced in obese patients.
In the case of robotics, the surgeons are equipped with advanced technology enabling them to view the anatomy in 3D, thus making it possible for them to perform minimally invasive procedures with enhanced precision and dexterity.
Robot indeed seems to be a revolutionary weapon in the fight against the disease as it enables a surgical operation to be performed with a better visualization.
Robotic arms are controlled by a doctor sitting at a remote console and enable a surgical operation to be performed with better visualization so it avoids invasive cutting of the wound and excessive bleeding and risk of post-surgery infections.
