There are many types of uterine cancer treatment, and a patient’s treatment plan may include one or more of these various options. In order to provide the most comprehensive and effective cancer care, the team at Moffitt Cancer Center follows a unique, multispecialty approach guided by evidence-based clinical pathways. In a single location, our patients receive the benefits of working with a cohesive team of experts who collaborate to ensure the best possible care. These experts – including fellowship-trained surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, fertility preservation specialists, social workers and supportive care providers – meet weekly in an interactive tumor board to evaluate each new patient and recommend an individualized treatment plan.
The most common type of uterine cancer treatment is surgery. At Moffitt, our surgeons perform the following procedures to treat uterine, or endometrial, cancer:
- Total hysterectomy – Removes the uterus, including the cervix, through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy) or an incision in the abdomen (total abdominal hysterectomy or total laparoscopic hysterectomy)
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy – Removes both ovaries and both fallopian tubes
- Radical hysterectomy – Removes the uterus, cervix, a portion of the vagina and possibly the ovaries, fallopian tubes and/or nearby lymph nodes
- Robotic gynecologic surgery – Utilizes the latest evolution in robot-assisted technology, the da Vinci® Surgical System, to operate with a high level of precision and control through a few small incisions
Even if a patient undergoes surgery, and the surgeon is able to remove all of the cancer that is visible at the time, additional uterine cancer treatment might be recommended to attempt to destroy any residual cancer cells. This type of treatment called adjuvant therapy might include:
- Chemotherapy – Drugs are used to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy can be administered orally or injected into a vein so that the drugs can enter the bloodstream and reach cancer cells located throughout the body. Regional chemotherapy is placed directly into the spinal column or an organ or body cavity to target the cancer cells in that specific area.
- Radiation therapy – High-energy X-rays or other types of radiation are used to destroy cancer cells. External radiation therapy utilizes a machine located outside a patient’s body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy employs a radioactive substance sealed within needles, wires, catheters or seeds that are placed directly into a patient’s body, in or near the cancer site.
- Hormone therapy – Some types of cancer cells have receptors that allow certain hormones to attach and stimulate their growth. Drugs or radiation therapy can be used to inhibit the body’s production of these hormones or render them ineffective.
If you would like to know more about your uterine cancer treatment options, including innovative clinical trials, call 1-888-MOFFITT or access our online form to schedule an appointment. For the convenience of our patients, we do not require referrals.