Hysterectomy for Ovarian Cancer

Overview
Hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus, and it may be performed if ovarian cancer has spread to the uterus. In cases where a hysterectomy is used to treat ovarian cancer, oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) is usually performed too. Hysterectomy and oophorectomy are considered radical surgeries because you will lose organs and function, unlike in a conservative surgery such as excision.

Impact on Fertility
Removing the uterus will leave you unable to give birth. If you want children in the future and cancer has not spread to the uterus, doctors may opt to perform other surgeries besides a hysterectomy so you can retain your fertility. Talk with your health care team about your fertility concerns.

Intended Outcomes
If ovarian cancer has spread to your uterus, the goal of hysterectomy is to remove all diseased tissue in your uterus.

Considerations
Any surgery carries risks, including blood clots, blood loss, infection, breathing problems, scarring, reactions to medication, and heart attack or stroke during surgery. Short-term complications of hysterectomy can include pain in the surgical area, constipation, diarrhea, bladder or vein irritation, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, nightmares, trouble sleeping, headaches, and shoulder pain from gas trapped beneath the diaphragm.

Call your doctor if you notice symptoms of infection, such as fever, bleeding, swelling or increased pain at the incision, or severe abdominal cramping and pain. Notify your doctor if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, discharge from the wound, abnormal or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, pain or swelling in your calves, painful or frequent urination, or vomiting more than 24 hours after the surgery.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Ovarian Cancer — Mount Sinai
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/repor...

Infertility — Cancer Council NSW
https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/ovarian-cancer...

Hysterectomy for Ovarian Cancer — PeaceHealth
https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/t...