Question

Describe the role of palliative surgeries in the management of gynecological cancer patients.

Hint:

Palliative surgeries focus on improving the patient's quality of life by relieving symptoms, rather than attempting to cure the disease.

Answer 1

Step 1: Indications for Palliative Surgery:
Palliative surgery is employed in gynecological cancer patients to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life, rather than to cure the disease. Indications include:
1. Obstruction: Surgery can relieve blockages caused by tumors, such as gastrointestinal or urinary tract obstructions, to reduce pain and prevent further complications.
2. Bleeding: Surgery can control life-threatening bleeding, especially in cases of advanced cervical or endometrial cancers.
3. Pain Relief: Surgery can be used to remove or debulk tumors that are causing significant pain and discomfort, such as in cases of ovarian or uterine cancer.
4. Obstructed Urine Flow: For patients with pelvic tumors causing urinary tract obstruction, surgical procedures like nephrostomy or urinary diversion can improve function and reduce symptoms.

Step 2: Types of Palliative Surgeries:
1. Tumor Debulking: Removing as much of the tumor as possible to reduce pressure and alleviate symptoms.
2. Bowel Resection: In cases of bowel obstruction due to tumor growth, partial bowel resection can improve function.
3. Biliary Stenting: For patients with obstructed bile ducts, biliary stenting can be used to alleviate jaundice.