I’ve heard about robotic surgery for prostate cancer – but is it something I should consider?

Choosing surgery for prostate cancer depends on several key factors, including your stage of prostate cancer and overall medical condition. Physicians should discuss all treatment options with patients.

Surgery for prostate cancer allows the complete removal of the cancer with preservation of unaffected normal tissue. Each of Fox Chase's highly skilled surgeons is experienced in tissue-sparing methods to cure the prostate cancer while preserving long-term urinary and sexual functions.  Surgery is tailored to each patient's specific situation.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic (da Vinci) surgery offers the latest surgical advance in the treatment of prostate cancer. This technique offers similar or better outcomes when compared with conventional open surgery, and has additional benefits. While its technological advantages are significant, your surgeon's skill and experience remain the most important elements for achieving superior surgical outcomes.

While robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is more technically demanding than conventional "open" surgery, there are many potential benefits to patients, including:

• Significantly less bleeding
• Less pain
• Less fluid build-up
• Shorter hospital stay
• Fewer days with a urinary catheter
• Less interruption to bladder and bowel functions
• Quicker recovery
• Earlier return to normal activity

For more information about prevention, screening and treatment of prostate cancer, visit: http://www.fccc.edu/cancer/types/prostate/index.html
 

Rosalia Viterbo, MD, is a Surgical Oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Answer provided by:
Rosalia Viterbo, MD
Surgical Oncologist
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania