A Robotic Prostatectomy an Effective Prostate Cancer Treatment
Men of all different walks of life will experience a urological problem at one time or another in their life. Some of the most common urological symptoms that a man could experience include pelvic pain, incontinence, a burning sensation while urinating, and impotence. While some of these symptoms can occur with age, injury, weight gain, and lifestyle choice, it is not normal for these symptoms to become so severe that it disrupts normal activities of life.
According to Dr. Mark Allen, a Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas area urologist, acute urological symptoms such as ongoing pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, impotence, and other symptoms usually signal an underlying problem. For some men, a PSA test may be administered and the result could be prostate cancer. When a man has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, a course of treatment will be prescribed based on the overall symptoms, stage of the disease, age and overall health of the patient. For many, surgery is the first step in removing the cancerous tissue from the prostate gland. A partial or full removal of the prostate gland is called a prostatectomy. An innovative prostate cancer treatment option gaining popularity is a robotic prostatectomy.
Prostate Cancer Treatment with a Robotic Prostatectomy
Traditionally, open surgery using a large incision has been the standard approach to many urological procedures such as a prostatectomy. Open surgery often leads to a longer recovery process, increased pain and larger scars. Today, many surgeons are turning towards a more minimally invasive approach by choosing the da Vinci Surgical System. A robotic prostatectomy as a prostate cancer treatment has proven to be effective for thousands of men who have been diagnosed with the disease.
The technology uses very tiny incisions that allow surgeons to use miniature instruments and with a 3D camera and microscope, operate with precise control and movement. The approach leaves minimal scarring and reduces the loss of blood, pain, and overall trauma that historically accompanies an open and complex prostatectomy. Some men will be able to have prostate removal surgery and continue without any additional treatment for their cancer (for men who are diagnosed in earlier stages); for men who have prostate cancer that is in a latter stage, the prostatectomy may be accompanied with chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment, or a combination of both.
Robotic surgery is growing in popularity and continues to result in excellent clinical outcomes. It is important to discuss all of the risk factors associated with a robotic prostatectomy with your urologist. While not all urological practices have adopted the da Vinci robotic surgery for prostate removal, Dr. Mark Allen is a pioneer in the Dallas area.
According to Dr. Allen, “The da Vinci robotic prostatectomy for prostate removal surgery has proven to be very effective for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite the revolutionary advancement, it is a big investment with a large learning curve and it requires a great deal of training. There are noted side effects that are at risk for occurring following a prostatectomy including loss of urinary control and impotence, but the robotic feature minimizes these risks further and if a surgeon has been trained and is highly skilled at performing the surgery, the patient’s risks decrease even further.”
If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are considering robotic surgery as your prostate cancer treatment, discuss all of your options and considerations with your urologist. Treatment for prostate cancer will vary for each individual.
For additional information on robotic prostatectomy as a prostate cancer treatment, please contact the office of Dr. Mark Allen, urologist serving the communities of Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas.