Dr. Hellmann on Evolution of Surgical Techniques in Endometrial Cancer

Mira Hellmann, MD, gynecologic oncologist and assistant professor, John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, discusses the evolution of surgical techniques in endometrial cancer.

In the past, hysterectomies and staging were done with open surgery, says Hellmann; however, this left patients with large surgical incisions. Over the past decade, surgeons have moved away from open surgeries toward the use of minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopies. Data from the LAP2 study, which showed an improved quality of life with laparoscopy versus laparotomy in the surgical staging of patients with endometrial cancer, helped support this shift.

The next wave of surgical advancement has led to the use of robotic surgery, says Hellmann. Robotic surgery has enabled surgeons to perform more extensive laparoscopic surgeries, as well as offer the procedure to a wider patient population, most notably, morbidly obese patients, concludes Hellmann.