Gynecologic Cancer Surgery

Oncology Surgery Expertise for Gynecologic Cancer

The Gynecologic Oncology Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) offers the most advanced diagnosis and treatment options for gynecologic cancers. Our multidisciplinary team offers the latest surgical procedures for all types of gynecologic cancer.

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

BIDMC has one of the largest and most experienced minimally invasive surgery practices in the United States. Our experts perform this type of surgery through a small incision (cut) using these approaches:

• Specialized techniques
• Miniature cameras with microscopes
• Tiny fiber-optic flashlights
• High-definition monitors

Minimally invasive surgery offers you many benefits:

• Decreasing complications
• Minimizing pain
• Speeding up recovery

Types of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Our gynecologic oncology surgeons specialize in:

• Advanced reconstructive surgery
• Complex benign and malignant gynecologic tumors
• Fertility-sparing surgery for early-stage ovarian and cervical cancers
• Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (administered directly into the abdominal cavity through a catheter)
• Minimally invasive ovarian removal for women at high risk for ovarian cancer and for pre-menopausal breast cancer survivors
• Radical pelvic surgery (removal of pelvic organs) 

Candidates for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Cancer Surgery

You may be a candidate for minimally invasive gynecologic surgery if you have early-stage cancer that hasn’t spread to other parts of the body, such as early-stage endometrial (uterine) cancer. Your cancer doctor (oncologist) may be able to use a minimally invasive approach to remove and stage this type of cancer. This procedure typically includes removing the uterus, ovaries and lymph nodes that drain the pelvis with a laparoscopic procedure (using tiny incisions and a flexible, lighted viewing camera).

If you have advanced or recurrent ovarian cancers, you aren’t likely to benefit from a laparoscopic approach. Surgeons cannot easily remove these bulky tumors from the small incisions they use for a minimally invasive procedure.

Surgical Removal of Ovarian Mass

In many cases, your surgeon can evaluate and remove a mass near or on the ovary using a minimally invasive approach. Once the surgeon has removed the mass, our pathology team evaluates the tissue cells under the microscope and determines if you have a cancer of the ovary. If so, in some cases the surgeon can perform laparoscopic surgery to remove the cancer. This includes removing the uterus, the lymph nodes that drain the pelvis and the other ovary.

Maintaining Fertility

In many cases, your surgeon can treat early-stage ovarian cancer using a minimally invasive approach that allows you to remain fertile. In these cases, the surgeon removes a small biopsy sample from the non-cancerous ovary and the uterus, but leaves them in place. The surgeon then performs the rest of the procedure to remove the cancerous ovary laparoscopically.

Screening for Ovarian Cancer

Unfortunately, there is no screening test currently available that can identify early ovarian cancers when they’re most treatable. If you have a strong family history of ovarian or breast cancer, you may benefit from a preventive (prophylactic) surgery to remove the ovaries.

Research has shown minimally invasive surgery is safe to remove the ovaries in high-risk people. This surgery can significantly reduce the risk of developing ovarian and fallopian tube cancer. Pre-menopausal women must balance the risks of going into early menopause (due to the loss of the ovaries and their hormones) with the protective effects of the surgical procedure.