First of all, receiving a diagnosis like this is a lot to take in — it's completely okay to feel overwhelmed right now. The good news is that catching it early (like it sounds in your case) generally leads to better outcomes, just like your mom experienced.
A hysterectomy is the most common treatment for endometrial Show Full Answer
First of all, receiving a diagnosis like this is a lot to take in — it's completely okay to feel overwhelmed right now. The good news is that catching it early (like it sounds in your case) generally leads to better outcomes, just like your mom experienced.
A hysterectomy is the most common treatment for endometrial cancer. There are a few ways it can be performed:
- Abdominal hysterectomy — The uterus is removed through a larger cut in the belly. It gives surgeons direct access but has a longer recovery.
- Vaginal hysterectomy — The uterus is removed through the vagina, leaving no external scars and often meaning a shorter hospital stay.
- Laparoscopic or robotic-assisted hysterectomy — Small incisions are made and specialized tools (sometimes robotic arms) are used. This is minimally invasive, results in less scarring, and is becoming more common for endometrial cancer.
For endometrial cancer, a total hysterectomy (removing the uterus and cervix) is most common. A radical hysterectomy may be done if cancer is more advanced, removing additional surrounding tissue. During the hysterectomy, your surgical team may also perform additional procedures depending on your cancer stage and overall health:
- Removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes — Common with endometrial cancer
- Lymph node removal — To check if cancer has spread
- Omentectomy — Removal of fatty abdominal tissue if cancer has spread
- Tumor debulking — Removing visible tumors to help other treatments work better
- Abdominal washings — Flushing the abdominal cavity with saline to test for cancer cells
Since obesity is a known risk factor that can affect surgical planning, your care team will tailor the approach to what's safest for you specifically. Here's a general recovery timeline to give you an idea of what to expect:
- Total abdominal hysterectomy — 3–7 days in hospital, 4–6 weeks at-home recovery
- Radical hysterectomy — 5–7 days in hospital, 4–6 weeks at-home recovery
- Vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy — 2–3 days in hospital, 2–4 weeks at-home recovery
During recovery, some common side effects include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Soreness at the surgery site
- Bowel or urination difficulties
- Fatigue
- Hot flashes or sleep trouble (if ovaries are removed)
Since you've already been through menopause, ovary removal won't trigger menopause symptoms for you — one less thing to worry about! Your doctor can discuss hormone management options if needed. If your cancer is caught at an early stage, surgery alone may be all that's needed — just like your mom's experience. For more advanced stages, additional treatments like radiation or chemotherapy may be recommended after surgery.
The most important next step is having a thorough conversation with your healthcare team about which surgical approach is best given your age, weight, and overall health. You're asking exactly the right questions.
August 7
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