HEALTH CORNER The state of the art in prostate cancer cure
Prostate cancer has emerged as the 4th most common and is also the 4th leading killer malignancy among Filipino males. The risk rises for men 55 years or older and roughly half of those diagnosed will die of the disease.
In 2016, more than 26,000 men will die of prostate cancer globally. There will be almost 200,000 new prostaterelated cases and approximately 14 percent of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime.
But men do not have to die of this disease. If diagnosed early, prostate cancer can be cured. Localized prostate cancer, or one that has not gone beyond the gland itself, can be cured by surgery. Open Radical Prostatectomy or the total removal of the prostate gland, seminal vesicles and surrounding lymph nodes through an abdominal incision renders the patient cancer free. But open radical prostatectomy comes with a price. Aside from being a major operation, one that necessitates an exploration of the abdomen, a week or longer hospital stay, prolonged catheterization of the urethra and all the pain and discomfort of conventional surgery, among the most bothersome complications are urinary incontinence and loss of penile erections.
Over the last decade, prostate cancer surgery has become more and more refined and minimally invasive. The latest innovation in prostate cancer surgery is the Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy using the da Vinci Si robotic surgical system.
The St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City Institute of Urology has been using the da Vinci Si robot since 2010, the most advanced robotic surgery platform to cure prostate cancer. The Institute has performed more than 200 robotic radical prostatectomy procedures with excellent clinical results and outstanding patient satisfaction outcomes.
Robotic surgery does not mean that the patient is operated on by a machine. The patient is still operated on by his urologic surgeon who sits on a computer console just a few feet away. The console is linked to the robot whose arms are docked through small holes in the patient’s abdomen and which faithfully transmits all the surgeon’s movements into the patient’s body. It has a 3-dimensional camera lens with 10x magnification and 3 arms with “wristed” instruments. These are instruments that can bend and rotate just like the human wrist, giving the surgeon as many degrees of freedom as his own hand can afford.
The result is a minimally invasive procedure that is done under superior high definition visual magnification affording more precise dissection, significantly reduced blood loss, and better preservation of vital structures all ensuring complete cancer removal. For the patient, it means no more large abdominal incisions, minimal post-operative pain, shorter hospital stay and shorter duration of having a urethral catheter. These translate into the enhanced prospect of maintaining their urinary control, no urine leaks, no diapers and better preservation of penile erections. All on top of the benefit of cancer cure.
In St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City, majority of our prostate cancer patients undergoing robotic surgery stay in the hospital for an average of 3 to 4 days. We have achieved excellent cancer cure with total removal of the cancer-containing gland, minimal or no blood transfusions and likewise improved preservation of urinary continence and erection over the traditional open surgical techniques. Our patients are delighted about the minimal postoperative pain, short catheter duration, the ease with which they go back to daily activities and eventually the early return to work.
With the advent of PSA testing and the advocacy for yearly digital rectal examination in the aging male, physicians are now catching prostate cancer earlier. Elevation of PSA levels in the blood and the detection of nodules in the prostate either by physical exam or by ultrasound often trigger a prostate biopsy that will clinch the diagnosis. This June, in celebration of prostate cancer awareness and Father’s Day, the Institute of Urology pays tribute to all the fathers by providing focused digital rectal examination and prostate cancer screening services.
The diagnosis of prostate cancer carries with it a significant burden, a burden that impacts on the patient’s survival and his concern for preservation of basic and vital functions like urinary control and penile erection. Its treatment should not impose any additional worries regarding outcomes and complications. With the da Vinci Si robotic surgical system at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City, we offer state of the art management of prostate cancer to our patients… our commitment to providing truly worldclass care.
In celebration of the Prostate Cancer Awareness month this June, St. Luke’s Medical Center in Global City is giving free consultation with any of its urologists for new patients with prostate issues this June 6 to 8. Get a 20% discount on prostate cancer screening procedures such as prostate specific antigen test and prostate biopsy from June 6 to 20, with discount vouchers available at any Urology doctor’s clinic. For inquiries, please contact 7897700 ext. 1160 or 7044.