Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the American male. According to statistics provided by the CDC, nearly a quarter of a million men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007 and almost 30,000 men died from the disease that same year.
While 2007 seems a long time ago, that is the most recent year statistics that are available and the numbers only continue to climb. One in six men is expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, with African-American men showing the highest rates of new incidences. While there are a myriad of treatments available for mitigating this type of disease, a procedure known as a radical prostatectomy is a common method used to remedy the cancer.
While surgical solutions have been around for some time, the introduction of robotics in medicine is a relatively new concept. Robot-assisted prostatectomies are quickly gaining favor, for they provide the surgeon a high degree of precision and the patient a faster-than-normal recovery time.
In contrast to an open surgical approach, the robot-assisted surgery uses relatively smaller incisions in order to access the growth. Either way, the goal is the same: to remove the entire tumor. Cancerous cells that are not completely removed during the surgery can metastasize to other parts of the body and increase mortality rates.
Once the camera is in place, other tiny incisions are used to manipulate the robotic instruments to address the cancer. The results of this 21st century treatment option include much more precise surgical movements and a faster recovery time.
The new concept in prostate cancer treatment in Rancho Mirage, CA includes highly-trained urologic surgeons using a state-of-the-art medical robot. This new treatment has proven to be good for the patient and bad for the cancer!
