At Northwestern Memorial Hospital, we always strive to put our patients first. Because improving the patient experience is a priority, we work toward offering the best care possible. Treating some gynecologic cancers has become easier through the use of state-of-the-art robotic technology. Robotic surgery is an evolution from minimally invasive laparoscopy for gynecological cancer; and since June of 2007, the Gynecologic Oncology Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgical Program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has been treating gynecologic cancer with robotic surgery using the da Vinci® surgical system. The program is led by M. Patrick Lowe, MD, gynecologic oncologist and Director of the Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgical Program for the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
Today, there are only a few gynecologic oncology programs that routinely perform advanced MIS (robotics or laparoscopy) for gynecologic cancer. At Northwestern Memorial, doctors often use the da Vinci® surgical system. This has several advantages over conventional MIS (laparoscopy), such as 3-D visualization, wristed instruments, and ergonomics. It also offers potential benefits over traditional surgery, including:
Women with endometrial cancer and cervical cancer who have been recommended for surgery may be candidates for Robotic Surgery. The types of Robotic Surgeries performed are the da Vinci® Hysterectomy with lymph node dissection for endometrial cancer and the da Vinci® Radical Hysterectomy with lymph node dissection for early stage cervical cancer. In addition, da Vinci® Hysterectomy is available for a select few patients with a variety of benign gynecologic conditions. Though some benign ovarian neoplasms may be treated, in some cases, with minimally invasive surgery, most ovarian conditions are treated by traditional surgery. Ovarian cancer is, almost invariably, treated with traditional surgery.
Contact
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, and you’d like to be treated by one of the gynecologic oncologists at Northwestern Memorial, your doctor may refer you. If you don’t have a doctor or would like to make an appointment with a gynecologist for the first time, call (877) 926-4664 or request an appointment online.
Resources at Northwestern Memorial
Webcasts
Robotic Surgery in the Management of Gynecologic Malignancies
Robotic Surgery for Endometrial Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Treatment: The Future is Bright
Contact Us
Do you need help finding a physician? Contact our Physician Referral Department at 877-926-4664 or request a first time appointment online.
