Surgery Overview

Lymphadenectomy is surgery to remove lymph nodes. A lymphadenectomy, also called lymph node dissection, may be done to examine the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes for endometrial cancer 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 laparoscope.

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 hysterectomy 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 lymph nodes are removed. This is needed because cancer can spread through the lymph system to other areas of the body.