Surgical oncology
Endometrial (uterine) cancer surgery
Cancer of the lining of the womb. Surgery is the main treatment, and it is one of the cancers most often caught early — because it bleeds.
In plain language
What this operation is
Endometrial cancer arises in the lining of the womb. Its defining feature is bleeding: after the menopause, or unusually heavy or irregular bleeding before it.
That symptom is the reason this cancer is frequently found at an early stage. Post-menopausal bleeding is not normal, it should never be dismissed as "just a late period", and it warrants investigation every time — even though most causes turn out not to be cancer.
Surgery is the main treatment: removal of the womb, usually with the ovaries and tubes, and assessment of lymph nodes depending on the findings. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy may follow depending on the pathology.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- Any bleeding after menopause
- Unusually heavy, prolonged or irregular bleeding before menopause
- A thickened endometrium found on ultrasound
- An abnormal endometrial biopsy result
And when it is not. Most post-menopausal bleeding is not cancer. But it always needs investigating, because when it is cancer, finding it at this stage is what makes treatment most effective.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
First consultation
History, examination and review of every report and film you already have. Bring the actual films, not only the printed summaries.
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02
Diagnosis and staging
Biopsy confirms the diagnosis; imaging establishes how far the disease has gone. No treatment plan is made before this.
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03
The plan
Whether surgery is the right step, and in what order relative to chemotherapy or radiotherapy — agreed with you before anything is booked.
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04
Treatment and follow-up
The operation where appropriate, then the pathology report, and continuing follow-up.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Recovery depends on the operation performed and on your general health.
- A written discharge plan, wound-care guidance and a follow-up appointment are given before you leave.
- The pathology report usually takes some days and is discussed with you at follow-up.
- Whether further treatment is advised is decided once that report is available.
When to go to hospital instead
Heavy vaginal bleeding, severe pelvic pain, or fever needs urgent hospital assessment.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 I bled once after menopause. Is that serious?
It needs investigating, even once, even if light. Most causes are not cancer — but post-menopausal bleeding is the main early sign of endometrial cancer, and investigating it is what allows early treatment.
Bleeding02 Will my ovaries be removed as well?
Usually the ovaries and tubes are removed along with the womb, because of how this cancer spreads. What applies in your case, including any implications, is discussed before surgery.
Extent03 Is chemotherapy always needed afterwards?
No. Whether further treatment is advised depends on the pathology report — the stage, the grade and whether lymph nodes were involved.
After surgeryNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.