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Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection

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Surgery for Gynecologic Cancer

Part of the book series: Comprehensive Gynecology and Obstetrics ((CGO))

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Abstract

The regional lymph nodes in patients with endometrial cancer are usually categorized into pelvic lymph nodes and para-aortic lymph nodes. Thus, lymph node dissection in patients with endometrial cancer includes a wide variety of surgical procedures. Although the consensus is that pelvic lymphadenectomy is not necessary for patients with low-risk endometrial cancer, it is possible that combined pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy is useful for patients with intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer. Another important aspect of lymphadenectomy is the risk of lymphedema of the lower extremities. Leg edema is the most frequent complication of lymphadenectomy. Therefore, lymphadenectomy must be tailored to maximize the therapeutic effect of surgery and minimize its invasiveness and adverse effects. Two strategies may be used: (1) removal of lymph nodes most likely to harbor disease with preservation of lymph nodes unlikely to be affected and (2) performance of full lymphadenectomy only in patients who can potentially benefit from this procedure with preservation of the lymph nodes most closely associated with the incidence of lymphedema.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gynecologic Oncology, National Hospital Organization, Hokkaido Cancer Center, Sapporo, Japan

    Yukiharu Todo

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  1. Yukiharu Todo
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Correspondence to Yukiharu Todo .

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  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara, Japan

    Mikio Mikami

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Todo, Y. (2019). Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection. In: Mikami, M. (eds) Surgery for Gynecologic Cancer. Comprehensive Gynecology and Obstetrics. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1519-0_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1519-0_17

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