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Even with an annual Pap smear test and the new vaccination for young women, cervical cancer can’t be totally prevented. But there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing cancer of the cervix.
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Vaginal cancer is a relatively rare disorder, comprising about 2% to 3% of all gynecologic cancers. Approximately 2,400 women are diagnosed each year with vaginal cancer in the United States.
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The chance of getting ovarian cancer increases as a woman gets older. Ovarian cancer occurs in women over the age of 50 and the highest risk is in women over 60.
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Uterine cancer is the most common of all cancers in the female reproductive system. It can either form in the inner lining of the uterus or the outer layer of muscle tissue.
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Thought to be caused by a problem with the genetic information transmitted between an egg and sperm, molar pregnancy can develop during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Testimonials
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When Jan Holsclaw found out she had ovarian cancer, she was referred to Dr. Bigsby at Florida Hospital Cancer Institute for surgery and treatment. With reassuring words and...
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TV Personality Jan C. Garavaglia, M.D., (aka "Dr. G") is the chief medical examiner for the District Nine (Orange-Osceola) Medical Examiner's Office in Florida. When she... -
Bonnie has helped to raise millions of dollars for ovarian cancer research taking place at National Cancer Institute (NCI), Department of Defense (DOD), Centers for Disease...
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
A minimally invasive procedure, a laparoscopic hysterectomy is performed by passing one to five small plastic tubes through a small incision in the abdominal wall. Through one of these tubes a small camera is positioned so the surgeon can see a live video feed of the region. He can then manipulate small instruments inserted through the other tubes to perform the operation itself, removing the uterus, cervix and other organs or tissues as necessary.
The technique is the least painful of the major procedures available and leaves little to no scarring. It is ideal for women who don’t qualify for a vaginal hysterectomy.
Following are the three types of procedures that can be performed using minimally invasive techniques to remove cancerous areas in the body.
Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Known as an LAVH, the surgeon inserts a small, lighted tube through a small incision in the belly. Surgical tools are inserted to cut the tissue. The uterus is then removed through the vagina.
Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. Similar to an LAVH this procedure differs in that the uterus is cut into small pieces and removed through the laparoscopic incisions. The cervix is left in place.
Total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Several small incisions are made in the belly. The doctor then inserts a scope and the necessary tools to cut the uterus and cervix into small pieces so it can be removed through one of the incisions.
The primary benefit of a laparoscopic hysterectomy is the limited scarring. Usually only two to four incisions about one-half inch are required to perform any one of the three procedures. One is inside the belly button, one in the top portion of the pubic hair and the other is in the middle side of the front hipbone.
Recovery usually requires a two-day stay in the hospital, then two weeks of light rest.