Prostate Cancer Treatment with Robotic Surgery

Many men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer will undergo a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the prostate gland.  Traditionally, this surgery is performed “open” and requires large incisions and unpleasant postoperative side effects for patients.  If your surgeon recommends this procedure, you may be a candidate for a relatively new surgery, called da Vinci® Prostatectomy. This revolutionary technology is a minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgical procedure that removes the cancerous prostate gland and surrounding tissues.

With a traditional surgical procedure like the open prostatectomy, surgeons have to make large incisions to remove the cancerous prostate gland.  This puts the patient at risk for excessive blood loss during surgery, possible infection, long hospital stays, and considerable pain.  After this procedure is completed, many patients suffer with a loss of bladder control and sexual function.

In recent years, robotic prostatectomy surgery has gained popularity as a minimally invasive and less traumatic alternative for treating and removing prostate cancer.  This type of surgery allows physicians to precisely perform complex and delicate procedures with the assistance of robotic technology.  Since this surgery is performed through very small incisions, patients tend to have a much shorter recovery time. Typically, bladder and sexual function return much more quickly than with traditional forms of surgery.

Some advantages associated with robotic prostatectomy surgery include:

• Less bleeding and less chance for needing a transfusion
• Smaller incision site means less scarring and less pain
• Decreased chance of incontinence
• Decreased chance of reduced sexual function
• Quicker recovery
• Lower rate of long-term complications
• Equal or improved cure rate as traditional forms of surgery
• Faster return to everyday activities

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is never easy.  However, it is important that you know all of the treatment options available to you.  Your physicians and oncologists will guide you toward the procedures that will be most effective in treating your type of cancer.

At the Center for Robotic Surgery , our surgeons have performed more than 600 robotic surgeries and are highly trained and experienced in performing the da Vinci Robotic Surgery®.  Our state-of-the-art facilities and world-renowned oncologists make FirstHealth in Pinehurst, NC the treatment center of choice for patients at all stages of cancer.  For more information on the cancer services we offer, call (910) 715-3500.