Ovarian Cancer Surgery
Doctors commonly find ovarian cancer in women. Since it does not present any significant symptoms, healthcare professionals usually diagnose it at later stages, which makes surgery an integral part of the treatment process. Ovarian cancer surgery involves the removal of the tumor and as much of the damaged tissue as possible to increase the survival rate and prevent further spreading of the cancer. This article guides you through various types of ovarian cancer surgery, the procedure, benefits, costs, recovery, and the best hospitals in India for ovarian cancer treatment.
What is Ovarian Cancer Surgery?
Ovarian cancer surgery is the surgical removal of malignant growths in the ovaries and the adjacent tissues to halt the spread of cancer. The type and the extent of the surgery depend upon the stage and spread of the cancer. The main objective of surgery is to eradicate the tumor along with surrounding tissues that may harbor cancer cells, and sometimes it also aims to restore reproductive health in the woman. The surgery may include the removal of part or the entire ovaries, the uterus, and the surrounding structures.
Why Undergo Surgery in Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer surgeries are performed for the following reasons:
- To remove cancerous tissue: Surgical intervention removes tumors and cancerous tissue completely, thus curing the disease if the carcinoma remains confined to the ovaries.
- To prevent the spread of cancer: More cancer can be removed to prevent the spread of carcinoma cells to any other part of the body.
- Improving survival rates: Ovarian cancer surgery combined with chemotherapy or other treatments can significantly increase the chances of survival, especially if performed at earlier stages.
Types of Ovarian Cancer Surgery
Ovarian cancer surgery may vary based on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the patient’s general health. The following are the most common types of Ovarian resection:
- Oophorectomy
Oophorectomy – This is the removal of one or both ovaries in surgery. The procedure forms part of the initial treatment in the case of ovarian cancer.
- Procedure: The surgeon removes either one or both ovaries (unilateral and bilateral oophorectomy, respectively). The removal depends on the position of the cancer in one of the ovaries. There could be the removal of just one ovary.
- Indication: Usually ovarian cancer is localized to one ovary.
- Total Hysterectomy
A complete hysterectomy would entail the removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the uterus.
- Surgery: The surgeon removes the uterus, both ovaries, and the fallopian tubes. In some cases, he also removes some of the related lymph nodes and tissues.
- Indication: This surgery is applied when the cancer has spread from the ovaries but is still within the pelvic region.
- Debulking Surgery
In advanced ovarian cancer, where the cancer has spread to other areas such as the abdomen, debulking surgery is performed to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
- Procedure: The surgeon removes visible tumors from the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and other affected areas. This surgery may be combined with chemotherapy after the procedure.
- Indication: Surgeons typically perform debulking surgery for advanced-stage ovarian cancer to reduce tumor size before chemotherapy.
- Lymphadenectomy
This surgery involves the removal of lymph nodes surrounding the ovaries and pelvis to check for cancer spread.
- Procedure: The surgeon removes lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has spread to these areas.
- Indication: It is performed in conjunction with other surgeries, especially if the cancer is suspected to have spread.
Procedure Steps
Ovarian cancer surgery generally follows these steps:
- Anesthesia: The patient is placed under general anesthesia.
- Incision: The incision on the abdomen is usually very big, sometimes bikini line size, and is performed to get adequate access for the operation. In some instances, the use of laparoscopic techniques will be utilized with smaller incisions.
- Tumor Removal: The surgeon will remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and all surrounding tissues or lymph nodes that might contain cancer cells.
- Closure: The surgeon sutures the incision closed and the staff takes the patient to the recovery area.
- Advanced cancer: Debulking surgery involves the removal of obvious tumors from the rest of the abdomen and pelvis.
Advantages of Ovarian Cancer Surgery
Surgery for ovarian cancer has numerous benefits:
- Possibility of a cure: Surgery can cure early-stage ovarian cancer, provided that the surgeon removes all tissues.
- Debulking surgery: Surgery will remove a majority of the tumor in advanced cancer, making subsequent chemotherapy or radiation therapy more effective.
- Improved Prognosis: Surgery improves the survival rate when combined with chemotherapy or targeted therapy.
- Restored Quality of Life: Removal of cancerous tissue can alleviate pain, bloating, and discomfort, thus restoring the quality of life of a patient.
Cost of Ovarian Cancer Surgery
- United States: Oophorectomy could range from $12,000 to $20,000, while total hysterectomy would be between $15,000 and $25,000, and debulking surgery could cost around $30,000 or even more.
- United Kingdom: Oophorectomy ranges from $8,000 to $12,000; total hysterectomy can range from $10,000 to $15,000; and debulking surgery can cost between $20,000 and $30,000.
- India: The ovarian cancer surgery cost in India can range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the type of surgery and hospital.
India provides quality medical care at an affordable price, making it a popular destination for those who wish to travel abroad for treatment.
Top Hospitals in India for Ovarian Cancer Surgery
This region houses several reputable cancer hospitals of international standards having the most complex diagnostic and advanced surgical treatments offered for ovarian cancers. Some top-rated hospitals from Delhi and India are
- Metro Hospital Faridabad
- Max Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi NCR
- Medanta: The Medicity, Gurgaon
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, Delhi NCR
Risks and Complications
Ovarian cancer surgery involves risks and complications as any surgical procedure does:
- Infection: Infection occurs with any surgery of the abdominal cavity.
- Bleeding: Bleeding could be heavy and occur during surgery or after it.
- Damage to surrounding organs: Other organs such as the bladder and intestines might accidentally damage the ovaries, which are beside them.
- Blood clots: After surgery, there is the possibility of blood clots that cause complications after their formation.
- Premature menopause: The removal of both ovaries causes instant menopause with symptom attacks such as hot flashes, mood changes, and dry vagina.
Recovery
The time for recovery from ovarian cancer surgery depends on the type of surgery carried out.
- Oophorectomy: Recovery can take 1-2 weeks for a less invasive procedure to 4-6 weeks if the surgery is more extensive.
- Total Hysterectomy: In most cases, patients take around 3-6 weeks for full recovery
- Debulking Surgery: It is more invasive, so its recovery may take 6-8 weeks
- Lymphadenectomy: Patients usually take about 2-4 weeks in recovery.
During recovery, the patient should not perform heavy lifting, and the doctor’s instructions strictly require adherence to wound care and activity. Regular follow-up visits to monitor the recurrence of cancer are also necessary.
