New Study Shows High Success Rates for Ovarian Cancer Hysterectomy

A new study has found that hysterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the uterus, can greatly increase the chances of survival for women with ovarian cancer. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), found that women who underwent hysterectomy had a significantly higher chance of surviving for five years or more than those who did not.

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the ovaries, which are the organs that produce eggs. It is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women, and is often detected at a late stage because it does not show many symptoms in its early stages. This makes it difficult to treat and greatly reduces the chances of survival.

One of the main treatments for ovarian cancer is surgery, which involves removing the cancerous tissue and, in some cases, the ovaries and fallopian tubes. However, until now, it was not clear whether removing the uterus as well would improve survival rates.

The UCLA study analyzed data from nearly 3,000 women who had undergone surgery for ovarian cancer between 2003 and 2013. Of these, over 1,600 had a hysterectomy as well as an ovarian removal, while the remaining women had only their ovaries and / or fallopian tubes removed.

The researchers found that the women who had a hysterectomy had a 34% lower risk of dying from ovarian cancer than those who did not. This was true even when taking into account other factors that could affect survival rates, such as age, stage of cancer, and other health conditions.

The study also found that the benefits of hysterectomy were greater for women who had earlier stage cancer. Among women with stage 1 or 2 cancer, those who had a hysterectomy had a 55% lower risk of dying from ovarian cancer than those who did not. Among women with stage 3 or 4 cancer, the difference was smaller but still significant, with a 20% lower risk of dying.

The authors of the study concluded that, based on these results, women with ovarian cancer should consider having a hysterectomy as part of their treatment plan. However, they also noted that more research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand the underlying mechanisms behind the benefit of hysterectomy.

Overall, this study provides encouraging news for women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. While the cancer can be difficult to treat, this research suggests that a hysterectomy may significantly improve their chances of survival. As always, anyone with concerns about their health should speak to their healthcare provider, who can help them make the best decisions about their treatment.