Da Vinci Surgery

I had davinci

and my cancer spread to my lung when it had less than 5% chance of spreading....I am really thinking it was having it done that way and cutting it up cause it to spread. Mind you I have no proof it is just the way I feel. If I could do it over I would have done it more traditionally and taken out in one piece. Also it spread quickly I has a very large tumor in my lung in less than 2 years after surgery.

 

Thanks

I had the needle biopsy also...was not fun. They took out the lobe and so far so good as far as it coming back....but my onco is not being encouraging about it not coming back, he says more of a chance it will than it wont i think he gave about 70/30 odds. Just hope I sat in that 30%

Original Question

I don't think the surgeon can really tell how extensive the cancer is until he/she goes in. I was scheduled for DaVinci but once the surgeon got in, my cancer was so extensive she had to do a traditional cut (like a c-section). The plan was to take the uterus out the vagina but it didn't work that way for me. Hopefully it will work that way for your friend because easier recovery time. 

The simple answer is YES.  I

The simple answer is YES.  I had the da Vinci for a complete hysterectomy and when I asked was told they take it out through the vagina.  My surgeon said if there is cancer they would never chop it up like they do in morcellation.  She can call and ask and if they can't answer that will tell her everything she wants to know.  Morcellation has probably caused more cancer and no doubt the lawsuits are making people rethink it all.  

As already said, my plan was the da Vinci and I was told if it looked worse he would have preformed a traditional open surgery.  I consider myself very fortunate.  

She should ask HOW it will be removed

I had DaVinci and my uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries and lymph nodes were all removed vaginally.  I asked and was told any time they suspect or know you have cancer, it is removed vaginally and intact.  No chopping up.   I'm not sure about the never having had children thing, I had heard that, too, but I had had children.  I was evaluated to see if I was a good candidate for DaVinci -it wasn't automatic.  I think they need to be sure they can access and remove organs vaginally which depends on size of uterus and opening of pelvic bones.  I passed.  I hope your friend asks some serious questions as not everyone is a candidate for robotic surgery and if cancer is present, I don't think it should be chopped up!  I was also told that the physician would look around the area and it was possible (I assume if he identified any other suspicious areas) he may have to revert to open surgery, but that happened seldom.  I recovered so quickly from the surgery and had to be reminded to take it easy as "it is still major surgery via small incisions". 

Suzanne

Editgrl said:

I had not had children

and my uterus was removed through the vagina, so yes, it can be done.  As Double Whammy said, it was removed intact as they knew there was cancer there.

I have never had children

Like Editgrl, I have never had children either.

Hmmm, now you have me over

Hmmm, now you have me over-thinking, again. I need to change my board name to "Over-thinker". Lol!

It sounds like they still morcellate, in order to get it out. When I inquired about how they bagged it, the oncologist said they slice each section (ie, lymph nodes, left ovaries, right ovaries, etc.) and drop it down through the vaginal cuff into the "Pre-marked" bags.

And, because of me undergoing this particular procedure, I needed "Preventative" radiation.  They think the knife, which previously cut out the tumor, smeared another section. The pathology report came back inconclusive as to whether the cancer had spread to that area or the knife smeared some of the cells to the other section. The doctor feels confident it was a smear, but couldn't say for sure. I guess time will tell, if it caused it to spread outside the area.

And possibly, because this is always a risk with DaVinci, this is the reason they have everyone do chemotherapy, regardless - which I didn't do. Hmmm?  And, maybe this too is the reason they always want to brachytherapy this area, because the cancer was dropped down through the canal, which also would contribute to that area being the next place it would most likely spread/travel to. Now, this is all starting to make sense.

Oh well, I need not over-think this. What is done is done! I need to remain hopeful and with a positive outlook. And, as we all have learned, we are to live day-to-day, as none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Let us always remember how fragile this life truly is, not taking anything for granted, but rather seeking out all the blessings before us in each new day.

Love, hugs, encouragement, and healing to all.