A radical hysterectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat early-stage cervical cancer and certain other gynecological cancers. It involves removal of the uterus, cervix, the upper part of the vagina, along with pelvic lymph nodes. Unlike a simple hysterectomy, this procedure is more extensive and is typically done when cancer has spread beyond the cervix but remains confined to the pelvis.
This surgery may be performed using the open (abdominal) approach or minimally invasive approach (laparoscopic or robotic-assisted). The choice of method depends on tumor size, stage, patient fitness, and surgeon expertise.