Lymphadenectomy for Endometrial Cancer

Lymphadenectomy is surgery to remove Reference lymph nodes Opens New Window. A lymphadenectomy, also called lymph node dissection, may be done to examine certain lymph nodes for Reference endometrial cancer Opens New Window cells. The removal and examination of the cancerous lymph nodes will determine the exact stage and grade of the cancer and may reduce the spread of the disease. The procedure can be done through an abdominal incision or by Reference laparoscope Opens New Window.

A lymphadenectomy may be done:

• If cancer cells are found in certain lymph nodes that were removed in an earlier surgical procedure.
• As part of a Reference hysterectomy Opens New Window if cancer has invaded the deep part of the muscle, the cancer is of higher grade, or your doctor suspects that cancer may spread to other parts of the body.

Lymphadenectomy usually is an extensive operation in which Reference lymph nodes Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window in different parts of the pelvis are removed. This is necessary because cancer can spread through the lymph system to other areas of the body.

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