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When determining if a patient is a candidate for radical robotic prostate cancer surgery, a physician will consider many factors before committing to the decision to operate. What are these factors? For one, the stage and progression of a patient’s cancer. A radical prostatectomy—whether performed via an open incision or a minimally invasive technique, like the robotic laparoscopic prostatectomy—is advised only for patients whose cancer is localized to the prostate gland. Additionally, prostate cancer surgery, like all surgery, poses a unique set of risks, most notably incontinence and impotence. As such, a patient’s age and anticipated life expectancy should be carefully weighed against the known complications of minimally invasive laparoscopic robotic surgery. A patient’s size, physical condition, and surgical history may also have an impact on whether or not an individual qualifies for robotic prostate cancer surgery, such as the Da Vinci®robotic prostatectomy, as a viable treatment option.
The Goal of a Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy
In short, the goal of a prostatectomy—whether radical or partial—is to obtain a cancer cure by completely removing the cancerous tissue in and around the prostate gland. Consequently, patients whose disease has progressed beyond the T1 and T2 stages of development (cancer that is confined to the prostate gland) are generally not candidates for robotic prostate cancer surgical intervention as removing the prostate gland and surrounding lymph nodes will have little to no effect on the future of cancer progression. How do doctors determine if prostate cancer has metastasized outside of the gland? Traditional imaging studies, such as CT scans, MRIs, x-rays, or bone scans are often effective in identifying advanced stages of the disease. It is important to note however, that imaging studies alone cannot be used to identify the stage of prostate cancer as small cancer cells existing beyond the prostate gland may not be visible. Early detection is critical. Prostate cancer that is diagnosed in its beginning stages may qualify patients for a nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy where the surrounding nerve fibers and blood vessels are spared to preserve sexual function and continence. Laparoscopic-assisted robotic prostate cancer surgery systems, like the da Vinci® robotic prostatectomy, offer high-resolution three-dimensional imagery of the operating field, as well as increased instrument dexterity both of which benefit the surgeon during this delicate, nerve-sparing procedure.
The Impact of Age on Prostate Cancer Surgery & Treatment
Localized prostate cancer is typically not an aggressive disease and as such, does not pose an immediate threat to the life and well-being of the patient. For this reason, surgeons factor in a patient’s age when determining if an individual is a candidate for a robotic prostatectomy, like the Da Vinci® prostate cancer surgery treatment. In general, if a patient’s anticipated life expectancy does not exceed a period of ten years, the risk of robotic-assisted prostate cancer surgery outweighs the benefits. What’s more, a patient’s current health condition should be carefully assessed to ensure an individual can cope with the rigors of prostate cancer surgery. Other factors include a patient’s size and previous abdominal surgery history. Those individuals with a body mass index exceeding 30 percent or a history of previous abdominal surgery may experience an increase in procedure time, a greater loss of blood, as well as an increased risk of complication.
Robotic-Assisted Prostatectomy & Experience
The outcome of a robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery is directly linked to a surgeon’s experience and should not be executed by a specialist who is not attuned to this minimally invasive prostate cancer surgery treatment. When compared to traditional open procedures, the minimally invasive nature of a robotic prostatectomy offers patients the benefits of decreased blood loss, a reduced hospital stay, and a less painful and lengthy recovery period. What’s more, by accessing and removing the prostate and surrounding tissue through a series of small, key-hole incisions, robotic-assisted prostate surgery poses less risk to the patient in terms of extensive tissue damage.
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