Surgery for Gynecological Cancers

City of Hope offers the latest advances in the surgical management of gynecologic cancers provided by specialty-trained gynecologic oncology surgeons. The scope of surgery is determined by the type, size, and location of the gynecologic cancer.

For women with gynecologic cancers, in particular ovarian cancer, our goal is to locate and remove as much of the tumor tissue as possible. This type of surgery, known as “debulking” helps us to understand the extent of the cancer in the ovaries and elsewhere in the abdomen, and allows us to remove all of the visible cancer. When all visible cancer has been removed during this surgery, known as an optimal debulking, followed by chemotherapy, patients have best chance of a cure. Our multidisciplinary expert team consisting of gynecologic, hepatobiliary, colorectal, and urological surgeons, has produced excellent clinical outcomes, in an integrated surgical effort not experienced at many other surgical centers. 

When applicable, our specialists utilize minimally invasive surgery with advanced technologies such as laparoscopy and the da Vinci S Surgical System with robotic capabilities that allow for greater precision. We are one of only a few gynecologic oncology Programs in the country to routinely offer radical surgeries through the robotic approach for appropriately selected patients. These surgeries feature smaller incisions compared to a traditional open procedure, resulting in reduced blood loss, less pain, shorter hospital stay and recovery time, fewer complications and quicker return to normal activities.

Our team of world-class specialists offers the latest modalities for gynecological organ preservation, and we offer cutting-edge fertility-sparing options for select young women who want to preserve their fertility after treatment for cervical or ovarian cancer.

For women at high risk of developing gynecologic cancer, we offer preventative surgery, called salpingo-oophorectomy, which involves the surgical removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This procedure can reduce the chance of ovarian and related cancers by as much as 80% in women at high risk.

Learn more about ovarian, cervical and uterine/endometrial cancers.