Is this standard for total hysterectomy's with BSO as been put on my operation
Dear mollysue
Thanks for getting in touch with us, my name’s Sue, and I’m one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the Support line.
I can see you have also joined other groups; I hope you are finding these provide a really helpful and supportive space to be part of.
It’s natural that you have questions about your hysterectomy surgery and why a washing may be done as part of this.
As part of someone’s hysterectomy surgery for womb cancer it’s important for the surgeon to look for any signs that the cancer may have spread outside of the womb area. This can involve different tests being done during surgery, including biopsies being taken and fluid being put into the abdomen, which attaches to cells and is then removed, so the cells can be examined by the lab. They can then check whether the cells are cancerous or not. This is called peritoneal washing.
The peritoneum is a thin membrane lining the abdominal cavity. It protects and supports organs in the abdomen and pelvis, it is made up of two layers and the peritoneal cavity is the space between these.
Although peritoneal washing may be performed to help with someone’s prognosis and treatment plan, clinical evidence to support the value of this, particular with early-stage endometrial cancer, remains clinically controversial.
We would encourage you to discuss things further with your hospital consultant or clinical nurse specialist as they are best placed to answer any specific questions or concerns you may have about your surgery.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please get in touch by email, webchat or phone. The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.
Best wishes
Sue
Ref AmC/SMG
