UAE- January 2024- Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) – one of the UAE’s largest hospitals specializing in serious and complex care – successfully employed minimally invasive diagnostic and robotic surgery techniques. This advanced approach effectively treated a patient with endometrial cancer, resulting in the patient achieving complete freedom from the disease.

Endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, occurs in the layers of cells that form the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. Globally, it is the sixth most commonly occurring cancer in women and the 15th most common cancer overall. When diagnosed early on, endometrial cancer is highly treatable.

The elderly patient was diagnosed with cancer after she reported postmenopausal bleeding and was referred to SSMC from another hospital for further management. Specialists at SSMC conducted a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) to detect cancer cells’ presence and spread. This avoided the necessity for a lymphadenectomy. A lymphadenectomy involves surgically removing and dissecting lymph nodes to examine tissue for cancer, carrying risks like infections, nerve damage, and thromboembolic events.

The patient underwent a robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This procedure involved removing the uterus, fallopian tubes, and both ovaries to eliminate all cancerous cells and prevent the chance of recurrence.

Dr. Mathebele Makwela, obstetrics and gynecology consultant at SSMC, explained: “Our approach throughout this case was to minimize any risks to the patient by adopting minimally invasive and highly accurate procedures. The patient is of an advanced age. Additionally, the patient suffers from clinically severe obesity. This condition adds to the risk associated with treating the cancer. However, the sentinel lymph node biopsy helped us accurately assess the cancer’s spread without subjecting the patient to the potential complications associated with traditional lymphadenectomy. Our robot-assisted hysterectomy further ensured thorough removal of affected tissue. And she was able to be discharged just two days after surgery.”

Post-surgery diagnosis showed that the patient’s lymph nodes were negative, confirming that none of the draining lymph nodes contain cancer. The patient only required localized vaginal brachytherapy or radiation to kill any cancer cells that may still linger.

After successful completion of the treatment, the patient conveyed her gratitude to the SSMC team: “I cannot express the sense of relief that I feel today. It was not an easy process by any means. I am grateful to the doctors and staff at SSMC who showed understanding and compassion that made me confident I was in safe hands. I am filled with gratitude for this second chance at life.”

The multidisciplinary Tumor Board at SSMC guided the entire process, involving the departments of Gynecologic Oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Radiology, and Pathology. Collaboratively, the specialists were able to identify the best route for treatment and to also eliminate the chances for recurrence.

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Commending the work of the entire team, Dr. Muhieddine Seoud, chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at SSMC, said: “This approach to treatment represents the heart of our mission of delivering the highest quality of care for our patients. Providing patients with definitive answers to their health concerns requires expert-led analysis, state-of-the-art facilities and the latest technological equipment, enabling early detection of diseases and cost avoidance for the patient. At SSMC, we are proud to be at the forefront of medical innovation. We continue to strive for the highest standards of health care.”