Surgery
Our gynaecological cancer team specialise in treating cancers of the cervix, fallopian tubes, ovary, peritoneum, uterus (womb), vagina and vulva.
Our surgeons are all highly trained with a wide expertise in gynaecological cancer and are able to offer a range of highly specialist surgery including:
- Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
- Robotic surgery
- Radical abdominal trachelectomy for invasive cervical cancer
- Extensive radical techniques for advanced and recurrent cancer
- Sentinel node biopsy for vulval cancer
We also carry out prophylactic (preventative) surgery for women with a strong family history of gynaecological cancer and/or gene mutation (such as BRCA2).
Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting
All patients with suspected or confirmed cancer are discussed at a weekly multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting on a Wednesday morning. This meeting is attended by surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists, clinical oncologists and clinical nurse specialists. The benefit of this approach is that all the specialists meet to discuss different treatment options and are able to reach a joint decision about your individual treatment plan. Relevant scans or investigations are either sent from the referring hospital or organised at the centre and discussed at this meeting.
Clinical Trials / Research
The gynaecological cancer team at the Leeds Cancer Centre is committed to improving treatments for gynaecological cancers as well as trying to prevent them. As such, we participate in numerous research studies (clinical trials) which can often be national or international studies.
These studies allow us to see whether certain interventions or treatments work better than current treatments and whether they have any side effects. Your consultant or a member of the research team may discuss studies that are applicable and may be of interest to you. Due to the nature of clinical trials, there are specific criteria that need to be met to allow you to take part in a particular study. Sometimes it may not be possible for you to take part. Taking part in clinical trials is entirely voluntary.
Enhanced Recovery after Surgery
Traditionally patients undergoing major gynaecological surgery have stayed in hospital for 5-7 days. It has been shown that by altering how patients are managed both before and after surgery they can be safely discharged home in 3-4 days. The aim of the enhanced recovery programme is to help you recover quickly and safely from your operation. In order to achieve this we ask you to play an active part in your recovery. You will be provided with an enhanced recovery information booklet which will explain what will happen to you and what you can do to help. You can also find this leaflet to read/download in the ‘Information Leaflet’ section.