Patient Information on Robotic Surgery & Prostate Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, almost two million men in the U.S. are prostate cancer survivors. Surgery is the most common treatment option for the disease, with the latest form of surgery being the laparoscopic robotic radical prostatectomy.

The Facts

• The prostate is a tiny gland in the male body that produces part of the fluid for semen. 2008 American Cancer Society statistics tell us that one out of six men in the U.S. will be affected by cancer of the prostate.

What is Robotic Surgery?

• The da Vinci Surgical System is a minimally invasive, surgeon-controlled robotic removal of the prostate. It is the top treatment option for localized prostate cancer.

Advantages

• Robotic surgery provides excellent three-dimensional magnification, which leads to less operating room time, less blood loss, less scarring, and a quicker recovery period.

Disadvantages

• The primary disadvantage is the training many surgeons lack on the da Vinci Surgical System. In addition, many hospitals cannot offer robotic surgery due to the high cost of the equipment.

Good News

• John Hopkins Cancer Center reports that urinary and sexual functions return to the patient at a faster rate than with other treatment options. In addition, their studies indicate that fewer malignant cells are left behind than with other procedures.