The use of minimally invasive surgery for endometrial cancer.

30 Cancer Control of life.1,2 Laparoscopy has been used extensively for the management of benign gynecologic conditions such as the evaluation and treatment of endometriosis and benign adnexal masses. Since the 1960s and 1970s, laparoscopy has been used in benign gynecology.3 Case reports in the late 1980s demonstrated the use of minimally invasive surgery in gynecologic oncology.3 As advanced laparoscopic techniques and skills have improved and as innovative technologies have become available, minimally invasive surgery has been used with increasing frequency in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies, including endometrial cancer. Historically, endometrial cancer surgery has been performed via laparotomy. This involves carefully ex ploring the abdomen and pelvis, obtaining washings for Introduction Minimally invasive surgery has been shown to be an appropriate, if not preferred, alternative in many wideranging surgical procedures. As with any procedure, careful patient selection is critical. In gynecologic oncology, the reported advantages of minimally invasive surgery include a shorter hospital stay, decreased analgesic requirements, faster recovery, lower intraoperative and postoperative complications, and improved quality The Use of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Endometrial Cancer