The role of minimally invasive surgery in gynaecological cancer: an overview of current trends.

BACKGROUND: The capabilities of minimally invasive surgery, either as conventional laparoscopy, or as robotic surgery, have increased to an extent that it enables complex operations in the field of gynaecological oncology.

OBJECTIVE: To document the role of minimally invasive gynaecological surgery in cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the literature that shaped international guidelines and clinical practice.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Current guidelines of major international scientific associations and trends in accepted clinical practice.

RESULTS: In recent years, evidence on oncologic outcome has limited the role of minimally invasive techniques in cervical cancer, while the treatment of early endometrial cancer with laparoscopy and robotic surgery has become the international standard. In ovarian cancer, the role of minimally invasive surgery is still limited. Current evidence on perioperative morbidity underlines the necessity to implicate minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.

CONCLUSION: The optimal surgical route for the treatment of gynaecological cancer remains in many cases controversial. The role of minimally invasive surgery remains increasing in the course of time.

WHAT IS NEW?: This comprehensive review offers an entire perspective on the current role of minimally invasive surgery in gynaecological cancer therapy.