Radical Hysterectomy
Definition
A radical hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the uterus, cervix, upper part of the vagina, and surrounding tissues, including lymph nodes. It is primarily performed to treat certain types of gynecological cancers, such as cervical cancer or endometrial cancer.
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Surgery
Yale’s Department of Surgery is a premier center for adult and pediatric surgical treatment, providing comprehensive care for a full range of conditions and diseases. To ensure that our patients experience shorter hospital stays and less postoperative discomfort, we employ the latest technologies and surgical techniques, and perform minimally invasive surgery whenever possible. Our renowned surgeons and faculty continue to push the frontiers of surgical science through innovative treatment and leading-edge research, with the ability to offer treatment options that can be difficult to find elsewhere. More state-of-the-art surgical suites at Yale New Haven Hospital than in any other hospital in the region Collaboration with the Yale Department of Biomedical Engineering and with industry to develop 3-D bioprinting for the regeneration, repair, and replacement of human tissue and vessels Nationally recognized Center of Excellence and designated training center for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) Yale’s Endocrine Neoplasia Laboratory is an internationally renowned multidisciplinary research group in which surgeons work with endocrine geneticists to decipher the molecular genetics of endocrine tumor disease First program in Connecticut to offer three different minimally invasive bariatric surgical techniques: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, LAP-Band® surgery, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomyObstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Yale’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences is dedicated to helping women at all stages of life. A global leader in women’s health, Yale is known for its innovative contributions to diagnosis and treatment, including: Developing the first fetal echocardiography Pioneering the first obstetrical ultrasound Developing the first fetal blood sampling and first fetal transfusion Offering the first chorionic villus sampling in New England Co-authoring the first U.S. study for first-trimester risk assessment Developing the first comprehensive first-trimester risk assessment program in New England Inventing fetal monitoring and many prenatal diagnostic and treatment techniques Our physicians tap into the broad expertise of our entire institution to provide compassionate, customized care for all of our patients, from adolescence through adulthood. Through eight subspecialty areas, we offer the most advanced diagnostics and therapies that harness the latest advances in technology. Recent clinical research includes a new emphasis on therapeutic vaccines in gynecologic oncology, novel treatments for endometriosis and menopause, a comprehensive patient safety program in maternal-fetal medicine, and an advanced fetal therapy program. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Family planning Gynecologic oncology Gynecologic specialties Maternal-fetal medicine Obstetric specialties & midwifery Pediatric & adolescent gynecology Reproductive endocrinology & infertility Urogynecology & reconstructive pelvic surgery Maternal-fetal medicine service offers 24-hour on-site dedicated space for complex pregnancies and fetal care First in Connecticut to perform in-utero laser therapy in pregnancies complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome Outstanding survival outcomes for all types of gynecologic surgery, from open to robotic Pioneer in caring for patients with sexual intimacy issues after cancer surgery Fetal therapy program Midwifery and birthing centerGynecologic Oncology Program
The focus of the team of clinicians who form the Gynecologic Oncology Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital is to provide comprehensive and compassionate care for women with gynecologic cancers. Women diagnosed with vulvar, vaginal, cervical, uterine, fallopian tube, or ovarian cancers are provided with exceptional care from Yale’s experienced team of gynecologic oncologists at the hospital’s dedicated Women’s Center. In addition, the team also treats soft tissue tumors of the pelvis, gestational trophoblastic disease, as well as women with precancerous changes that have been identified in the vulva, vagina, and cervix, including dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, or premalignant changes of the endometrium, including adenomatous hyperplasia. The physicians of the Gynecologic Oncology Program offer a wide spectrum of advanced strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancers, including colposcopy evaluation, conformal radiotherapy, and novel, targeted chemotherapies. The multidisciplinary program has experts from the obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences; radiation oncology; radiology and biomedical imaging; genetics; pathology; pharmacy; and social work. A dedicated patient coordinator facilitates patient appointments and communication, coordinates services, and supports each patient and their family. Surgery for previously untreated gynecologic cancer Surgical treatment of cancer is the most common option for previously untreated cancers. These operations include radical hysterectomies for cervical cancer, cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer, radical vulvectomies for vulvar cancer and total abdominal hysterectomies, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomies, and lymphadenectomies for the staging and treatment of endometrial cancers. Conventional laparoscopic and robotic surgery is available to women in need of surgery for uterine cancer, as well as for removal of the uterus, tubes, and ovaries. Prophylactic surgery, including hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or bilateral salpingectomy with ovarian conservation, is also available to women looking to prevent ovarian cancer occurrence. Preservation of fertility in women with gynecologic cancers whenever possible is always a priority. We perform radical trachelectomies in women with early-stage cervical cancer who desire fertility preservation. For women with early-stage, low-grade endometrial cancers, hormonal therapy is prescribed. Chemotherapy Management The Gynecologic Oncology Program provides a full spectrum of chemotherapeutic agents used in the management of ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, uterine cancer, mesenchymal tumors of the uterus, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer. These chemotherapeutic agents may be used either for primary treatment or treatment of recurrent disease. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, i.e., chemotherapy prescribed before surgical treatment, is often used for women with advanced ovarian cancer to reduce the s