Read article Surgery to relieve symptoms of womb cancer
This page is about surgery for advanced womb cancer. There is information about
Surgery to relieve symptoms of womb cancer
If you have a stage 4 womb cancer, it is more difficult to treat with surgery. The cancer has already spread to another part of the body, and so surgery to remove the womb will not cure the cancer. Even so, your specialist may still suggest an operation to remove as much of the cancer as possible. This is sometimes called debulking. It can slow down the growth of the cancer and help to relieve any symptoms you are having. Treatment to help with symptoms is called palliative treatment. So you may hear your doctor talking about palliative surgery.
Deciding about treatment
If you have a very advanced cancer, you may not be well enough for a big operation. Your cancer may be a more quickly growing type that is likely to come back within a few weeks or months after your operation. Your doctor may then suggest radiotherapy instead to try to shrink the cancer and slow down its growth.
You will need time to think about your options for treatment. And you will need support from your family as well as your doctor in making your decision. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have about your treatment.
It often helps to write down a list of questions that you want to ask. You could also take a close friend or relative with you when you go to see the doctor to help you remember what was said.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Treating womb cancer section.
If you have a stage 4 womb cancer, it is more difficult to treat with surgery. In stage 4, the cancer has already spread to another part of the body, and so surgery to remove the womb will not cure your cancer. Even so, your specialist may still suggest an operation to remove as much of the cancer as possible. This is sometimes called debulking. It can slow down the growth of the cancer and help to relieve any symptoms you are having. Treatment to help with symptoms is called palliative treatment. So you may hear your doctor talking about palliative surgery.
If you have a very advanced cancer, you may not be well enough for a big operation. Your doctor may advise that your cancer is a more quickly growing type that is likely to come back within a few weeks or months after your operation. They may suggest radiotherapy instead to try to shrink the cancer and slow down its growth.
You will need time to think about your treatment options. And you will need support from your family as well as your doctor in making your decision. There is more about your treatment options in our controlling symptoms of advanced womb cancer section.
You may find that other women you meet with womb cancer are having different treatment from you. This may be because they have a different type of womb cancer. Or it may be that their cancer is a different stage. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor or clinical nurse specialist any questions you may have about your treatment. It often helps to write down a list of questions that you want to ask. You could also take a close friend or relative with you when you go to see the doctor – they can help you remember what was said.
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