Robotic surgery for Ovarian

[Ivebeenthiswaybefore]

Has anyone had the experience of debulking surgery with robotic surgery for Ovarian cancer? I am having a debulking operation next month for ovarian cancer, I am Stage 3 b/c. I have been given the choice of conventional surgery, or having it done using robotic surgery. I was convinced if I was given the opportunity of both ops, I would choose the conventional way, but now I'm not so sure.

The robotic surgery is still in trial stages for debulking surgery.

Would be interested to hear from anyone who has had this type of surgery.

[mgrae456]

My mother's surgeon said absolutely no to robotic. He explained you really need to look around. He ended up finding some disease on her diaphragm that he said he never could have found robotically.

[Dmercury in reply to mgrae456]

I had robotic and loved it. In my case I was a 3c with only a 2cm tumour in my omentum which put me at that stage. If there were more disease she said she would have opened me up right then. Not everyone can get it because of spread. I’m glad that I did. Good luck to you.

[Ivebeenthiswaybefore in reply to Dmercury]

I was always for conventional surgery, but now I've got the choice I'm finding it really hard to decide. I have got spread on my omentom(confirmed with 3 biopsies) and I think possibly peritoneum. I know that they will be injecting me with a green dye and looking under uv light over peritoneum etc and cutting out any abnormal areas they find. This isn't an option with the conventional op. Also, starting up my Chemo 2wks after op is another factor to consider too.I'm glad to hear that your experience was a good one, as you say not everyone is offered it.

[Dmercury in reply to Ivebeenthiswaybefore]

She did my entire hysterectomy and optimal debulking robotically. People that say that they can’t see everything are wrong. They can because there is some kind of high powered scope that can get to places you wouldn’t think that they could. MD Anderson uses robotics when possible. If you’ve been given the option then they know that you’re a good candidate for this particular surgery. Not all hospitals have this available and not all oncologists can perform it.

[Ivebeenthiswaybefore in reply to Dmercury]

I sent an email to the snr registrar about my concerns, and she has rang me back and explained my concerns . She told me about how they can see everything because of the high definition cameras etc that they use.

The hospital I will have it done in is one of the leading hospitals that do it, they have been doing a study for this for 10yrs now.

I am meeting up with her and the surgeon on Tuesday, so will have to decide then which way going forward.

The robotic way has alot of advantages, I'm definitely leaning towards it. Who knows, not too long in the future it might be the norm.

Thank you so much for your reply, Its been very appreciated.

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Dmercury]

This is so interesting. I'm in the UK and had debulking surgery over 2 year ago. When my cancer recurred 6 months later I asked about Plazma Jet surgery which I'd read could be less invasive than conventional surgery. My surgeon gave a definite no no. She said it isn't used for removing tumours just for mopping up any nodules scattered in the peritoneum. They don't have the equipment at many hospitals here. Is Plazma Jet the machine that was used for your surgery? or was it some other robotic machinery? I'd love to know in case my ongoing chemo doesn't do the job it's intended to. It would be useful for many ladies to know here in the UK.Love from Angela xx

[Dmercury in reply to Gemimablackvelvet]

I have never heard of that. I don’t know what that is.

[purfekt10]

I had robotic surgery and everything went very well. I have five small incisions instead of one big one. As of right now, my CA 125 is 6 and I have been cancer-free for 2 1/2 years.

[Ivebeenthiswaybefore in reply to purfekt10]

Good to hear that your doing well . After my x3 chemo my CA125 is 11, was quite high. Certainly advantages having Robotic surgery.

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to purfekt10]

This is wonderful news. Are you in the UK ? If so which hospital did you use?

Love from Angela x

[purfekt10 in reply to Gemimablackvelvet]

I'm sorry, but I live in the USA. However, you should thoroughly research which hospitals in the UK use robotic surgery for ovarian cancer patients.

[Leannie]

I think my doctor was afraid I would be upset with her if she didn't do the robotic. I was LG stage 2C and had a fluid filled cyst the size of a small canteloupe.

[Ivebeenthiswaybefore in reply to Leannie]

Thankyou for your reply, hope you are well.

[delia2]

Hi. I had robotic surgery for debulking. It was six hours and I had about six incisions. They removed the main tumor which was ten cm through my vagina. I’m stage 3b hgs OC. My gyn onc had a lot of experience with the robot. I only stayed one night in the hospital. I didn’t have a stoma though I came close. He removed twenty lymph nodes. He did say there’s always a chance once they get in there that they might have to switch to open surgery. I think for recovery there’s no comparison.

[Ivebeenthiswaybefore in reply to delia2]

Thank you for your reply. I hope you are keeping well now.

[mupash]

I HAD ROBOTIC SURGERY FOR OC 3C WHICH WAS IN A FEW PLACES 5 YEARS AGO. THEY CAN SEE EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF THE STRENGTH OF THE CAMERAS THEY USE. PRACTICALLY PAINLESS AND ONE NIGHT IN HOSPITAL.