Treating Prostate Cancer with Robotic Surgery

As men grow older, they are more prone to prostate cancer. It is a common type of cancer among older men, which develops in the prostate gland, which lies in the urethra and helps in the production and transportation of semen.

As its symptoms may be mild initially, timely diagnosis and proper treatment is crucial. But it may take a more severe form when it is not treated promptly. Nowadays, robotic surgery has become a modern and effective method of treating prostate cancer, which is minimally invasive and has many advantages. Our specialist urologists use robotic surgery to treat this serious concern effectively. Book your appointment with our Best oncologist at CMRI Hospital, Kolkata and get the best and most effective treatment for your prostate-related issues. 

Prostate Cancer: Causes and Symptoms

There are multiple reasons behind the development of prostate cancer such as heredity, age, diet, and hormonal imbalance. Without proper consultation and diagnosis, it is impossible to know the actual cause of this disease. 

It is usually diagnosed in men above 50 years of age, however, the risk increases if the disease already runs in one's family. But, here are some of the symptoms, which can indicate that the person is in danger of having prostate cancer -

• Frequent urination, especially at night.
• Difficulty or a burning sensation during urination.
• Blood in semen or urine.
• Pain in the groin, hips, or thighs.

These are a few symptoms, but when they appear, you should immediately reach out to a doctor and diagnose and get treated timely. 

Robotic Prostatectomy: State-of-the-art surgery for prostate cancer

Prostatectomy is a prostate surgery, in which the cancerous part of the prostate has been cut and removed in surgery. Robotic prostatectomy or robotic prostate cancer surgery is an advanced and cutting-edge method of treating prostate cancer. 

In this procedure, doctors use robotic hands controlled from a console located away from the patient. The main objective of this technique is to increase precision and provide the best care with minimal damage during surgery.

The procedure of robotic surgery

During the procedure, the surgeon sits on the console and controls the robotic arms. These robotic arms are equipped with small surgical equipment and high-definition cameras. These HD cameras help the surgeon to get a clear view of the prostate. 

Robotic surgery lends a much finer precision to a surgeon's hands, leading to minimal chances of errors, bleeding and risk of infection. The real wonder of this technology lies in the dexterity of the robotic arms, which replicate the surgeon’s hands. Apart from this, recovery is also quick in this procedure, due to fast wound healing on smaller incisions, allowing the patient to return to their normal lifestyle in a shorter time compared to traditional surgery.

Who should treat prostate cancer with Robotic Surgery?

Robotic surgery for oncology is ideal for early to stage 3 cancer patients, where the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. Specifically, those patients who are unable to undergo open surgery. The surgeon overseeing your case will take the final call for eligibility w.r.t. robotic prostate cancer surgery. 

Ensure you have obtained a proper consultation and a thorough examination. Doctors will perform various tests like blood test, PSA test, biopsy, and more to confirm the stage of cancer so that they can provide the best and the utmost care to them. 

Advantages of Robotic Surgery Over Open Prostatectomy

Compared to robotic prostatectomy, traditional open surgery is more risky, which involves a larger incision. This small incision helps lead to a longer recovery time and more complications. 

In contrast, robotic prostatectomy involves smaller incisions, which leads to less post-surgery pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery.

Other benefits of robotic surgery - 

• Precision: With the help of robotic instruments, the precision of surgery increases.
• Fewer complications: Infections and other surgical complications are reduced.
• Quicker recovery: The patient recovers faster and experiences less pain.
• Less bleeding: Blood loss is less, which leads to fewer blood transfusions.
• Smaller incision: Due to the smaller incision, the scar is also less.

Conclusion

Due to the inclusion of robot assisted technology in the medical field, prostate cancer treatment has now become more effective, safer, and less complicated. With the help of this advancement, patients will recover faster and return to normal life soon, which is quite good for those who think time is money. Timely treatment and its management can help you to win against cancer. If you or a loved one has prostate cancer, consulting a specialist doctor can help you a lot.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is prostate cancer curable?

All cancer patients have a better chance of survival if it is diagnosed in its early stages. Robotic surgery is an effective treatment that ensures fewer complications during and after surgery.

How to check for prostate cancer at home?

It is not possible to check for prostate cancer at home. For diagnosing prostate cancer, PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test and other physical tests are performed by doctors. Therefore, contact a specialist doctor after the appearance of prostate cancer’s symptoms. 

What is the success rate of robotic prostatectomy?

The success rate of robotic prostatectomy is quite high. If the cancer is localised and diagnosed timely, a complete cure is possible with this surgery. After this, the patient's quality of life is also improved.

How long does robotic prostatectomy take?

Robotic prostatectomy surgery usually lasts from 2 to 4 hours. However, this time depends on the physical condition of the patient and the stage of the cancer. After surgery, the patient may have to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days.