Surgery for Cervical Cancer: Patient Care Resources
Surgery is a common treatment for cervical cancers. The type of surgery your team recommends is determined by the size of the tumor and other factors. Your doctor may recommend drug therapy or radiation therapy before surgery to shrink the tumor, so it is easier to remove. Drug therapy or radiation therapy is also common after cervical cancer surgery.
Cervical cancer surgeries vary in the amount of tissue doctors remove. Surgery is different for every patient. Your gynecologic oncologist (cancer surgeon) will work with you to determine the least invasive and most effective surgery for your condition. We also help you prepare for your surgery and your recovery at home.
WHAT TO KNOW TO PREPARE FOR CERVICAL CANCER SURGERY
1Understanding Your Condition
2Getting Your Diagnosis
3Planning Your Treatment
4Undergoing Treatment & Follow-Up
Cervical Surgery: Patient Care Resources »
Getting Ready for Surgery
Your surgery team has worked with you to develop the therapy plan that’s right for you, based on the details of your diagnosis. The goal is to identify the least invasive and most effective surgery for your unique condition.
Before
During
After
Several days before your surgery, you will meet with your anesthesiologist to discuss your options and preferences for sedation. The anesthesiologist will stand near your head to administer the anesthesia and monitor you before and during surgery. At this meeting, you and the anesthesiologist will:
- Review your medical history
- Discuss any allergies you may have
- Review the plan for anesthesia during your surgery
On the scheduled day, you will come in for your surgery.
The length of time for your surgery, hospital stay, and recovery depends on your individual case. Factors include the type of surgery you have and the details of your diagnosis.
Surgery for cervical cancer
Surgery for cervical cancer may include removal of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, lymph nodes, the fat pad over these organs called the omentum, and any other visible disease.
The tissue removed at the time of surgery will be sent to pathology for analysis.
Come in for your post-op appointment
Your post-op appointment takes place 7 to 10 days after your surgery. We will work with you before your surgery to choose a day and time for this visit. During the appointment, you meet with your surgeon and advanced practice provider to:
- Review the pathology report from your surgery
- Remove staples, if needed
- Address any concerns
- Discuss your treatment plan
Several days before your surgery, you will meet with your anesthesiologist to discuss your options and preferences for sedation. The anesthesiologist will stand near your head to administer the anesthesia and monitor you before and during surgery. At this meeting, you and the anesthesiologist will:
- Review your medical history
- Discuss any allergies you may have
- Review the plan for anesthesia during your surgery
On the scheduled day, you will come in for your surgery.
close Before
The length of time for your surgery, hospital stay, and recovery depends on your individual case. Factors include the type of surgery you have and the details of your diagnosis.
Surgery for cervical cancer
Surgery for cervical cancer may include removal of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, lymph nodes, the fat pad over these organs called the omentum, and any other visible disease.
The tissue removed at the time of surgery will be sent to pathology for analysis.
close During
Come in for your post-op appointment
Your post-op appointment takes place 7 to 10 days after your surgery. We will work with you before your surgery to choose a day and time for this visit. During the appointment, you meet with your surgeon and advanced practice provider to:
- Review the pathology report from your surgery
- Remove staples, if needed
- Address any concerns
- Discuss your treatment plan
close After
If you need surgery, our gynecologic oncology (cancer surgery) team manages your care during this part of your treatment. We work with you to explain our recommendations for your surgical plan to help you decide what’s right for you. We also help you prepare for your surgery and your recovery at home.
You are an important part of the care team, too, so ask us questions and voice your concerns at any point in your treatment. Members of your gynecologic oncology team include:
Your Doctors
Surgeon
Also known as a gynecologic oncologist, your cancer surgeon specializes in surgical procedures to diagnose and treat cancer. Your surgeon serves as your attending physician, the doctor who directs your care team.
Gynecologic oncologists perform biopsies (taking tiny samples of tissue) to test for cancer and confirm a diagnosis. They help you choose the best type of surgery for your care. Potential options include traditional (open) approaches or minimally invasive techniques to remove tumors and surrounding tissue.
Anesthesiologist
An anesthesiologist is a doctor who specializes in using medications to block pain during surgery. These medications also help you relax during the procedure or ease you into unconsciousness. After giving medication, your anesthesiologist monitors vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate throughout your surgery and immediate recovery.
Depending on the type of surgery you have, you may need local (small area), regional (larger area), or general (overall) anesthesia. You will meet with your anesthesiologist at your pre-operative visit to review your case in detail.
Pathologist
Working closely with your oncologist, your pathologist performs and reads laboratory tests to determine the type and stage of cancer present. These doctors have special training to detect and diagnose cancer. They use a microscope to examine tissue samples taken during a biopsy. As with radiologists, you may not meet your pathologist while he/she works with your oncologist to diagnose your cancer.
Extended Care Team
This health care provider works in collaboration with your medical oncologist to help care for you during your treatment and follow up. An APP can be a physician’s assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP). A nurse practitioner is an advance practice nurse who has completed graduate education and is trained to do physical exams, diagnose, prescribe, and treat medical conditions. Our APPs can help manage your side effects and help carry out your treatment plan safely. You may alternate visits between your APP and oncologist.
These specialized registered nurses provide one-on-one support to guide you through the cancer treatment process. MCCs serve as your point of contact to help manage your care, from your first appointment through follow-up visits. They assess your needs, answer your questions, make referrals, coordinate appointments, and provide patient education.
The CAA helps with administrative issues such as scheduling your appointments, managing your paperwork, and requesting your medical records and disability paperwork.
If you need to stay in the hospital after surgery, a registered nurse will take care of you.
This team member greets you at the front desk and registers you for your appointments.
A surgery scheduler will arrange your pre-surgical appointments with your gynecologic oncologist. This staff member also schedules your surgeries
Support Services
PATHWELL SUPPORT SERVICES
PathWell is your connection to personalized support services before, during, and after your treatment. Our teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers, nutrition experts, financial counselors, and more work with your oncology team to provide comprehensive specialized care to you and to your family.
- 650-498-6000 Ask for the PathWell team
Stanford Health Library
For confidential help with your health care questions, contact the Stanford Health Library. Professional medical librarians and trained volunteers, access journals, books, e-books, databases, and videos to learn more about medical conditions, treatment options, and related issues.
- 875 Blake Wilbur, Palo Alto: 1st floor near the cafe, 650-736-1960
- South Bay Cancer Center: 3rd floor lobby, 408-353-0197
- Email us your questions: healthlibrary@stanfordhealthcare.org
At your first appointment, you will meet the team who will take care of you throughout your treatment. During this visit, your doctor will discuss your medical history with you in detail, perform a physical examination, and discuss possible treatment options. During your first visit, we will share some important information about cancer and your treatment options.