In prostate cancer, robotic surgery improves quality of life
The treatment possibilities for prostate cancer have evolved a lot in recent years and give the patient options that improve their quality of life and reduce complications after surgery, says Francisco Cornejo, robotic urological surgeon at the Metropolitan Hospital.
Before defining the treatment that an already diagnosed patient receives, explains the specialist, there are three factors that are carefully evaluated:
- Staging or staging: determining if the tumor is localized or if it is already in an advanced state.
- General condition: clinically assess the patient to know their health status and life expectancy regardless of the tumor.
- Clinical guidelines: within the doctor's reach are the guidelines or consensuses that, worldwide, define the treatment according to the risk of the tumor and the patient's life expectancy.
When the tumor is localized, the alternatives currently come from radical surgery and radiotherapy. And if your condition is advanced, they include radiotherapy, hormone therapy (testosterone blockade) and, in some cases, radical surgery with lymph node removal.
Technology is an ally from a surgical point of view; Its evolution has given way to robotic surgery: “the minimally invasive alternative, with very good results and the fewest complications in the treatment,” says Dr. Cornejo.
The urologist details the benefits offered by the Da Vinci robot, which the Metropolitan Hospital has, in the surgical treatment of prostate cancer:
- Greater precision in disease control; A three-dimensional camera enters the body to magnify ten times the human eye.
- It has an exact bleeding and coagulation control system.
- Quite precise dissection of very sensitive nerves to minimize subsequent erectile dysfunction problems.
- Very precise unions and sutures to avoid urinary incontinence and fissures after surgery.
- Short postoperative period, with minimal pain and rapid recovery of functionality.
It is important to remember, says the specialist, that the treatment of tumors is multimodal; After prostate surgery, the patient may need radiotherapy. And in other cases, it will be enough to offer you a good life expectancy.






