Prostate cancer robotic surgery: what is it and its 6 symptoms (all the useful info)

In this article, we will talk about the prostate cancer and the robotic surgery that may be required to treat it.

Before diving deep into the definition of prostate cancer, let’s see what is the prostate. Later we’ll take a look at which conditions may require a robotic treatment (including the prostate cancer) and what are the steps for a full prostate cancer surgical operation.

What is the prostate

The prostate is a small gland that only the males have. It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system and plays a role in the production of semen. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body, and it contributes to the control of urine flow.

The prostate gland goes through significant changes throughout a man’s life. It (typically) begins to grow during puberty and continues to enlarge with age. This enlargement (also called BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia), is common in older men and can lead to symptoms such as difficulty urinating, frequent urination and a weak urine stream.

But the prostate is susceptible of various diseases, including prostate cancer, which may require robotic surgery.

What is prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that affects the prostate when its cells mutate and begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor.

Prostate cancer’s symptoms

In its early stages, prostate cancer may not show any symptoms. However, as the cancer grows, it can cause symptoms such as:

Difficulty urinating;
Frequent urination (even at night);
Weak or interrupted urine flow;
Blood in the urine or semen;
Erectile dysfunction;
Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area.

Risk factors

While the exact cause of prostate cancer is not yet fully understood, certain risk factors have been identified, including:

Age: the risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age, with the majority of cases occurring in men over the age of 65.
Diet: An unhealthy diet high in red meat and high-fat dairy products and low in fruits and vegetables may increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Family history: Men with close relatives who have had prostate cancer are at an increased risk.
Lifestyle: Obesity and lack of physical activity have been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer as well.

Preventing prostate cancer

Preventing prostate cancer entirely is a difficult task since some of the risk factors we listed above such as age and family history cannot be controlled.

However, there are some steps that people can take to potentially reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer or at least delay its onset.

Following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol ingestion and avoid smoking, along with doing regular screenings are all actions that can help prevent prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer and the other conditions that may require surgery

Prostate cancer may require surgical intervention to treat it, but there are also other conditions that would require the same treatment.

A robotic prostatectomy may be thus recommended for various conditions affecting the prostate, including:

Prostate Cancer: it is the most common reason for undergoing a robotic prostatectomy.Usually the procedure is recommended when the cancer is localized to the prostate gland and has not spread beyond it. Through robotic prostatectomy it’s possible to remove the cancerous tissue while minimizing damage to the surrounding structures, in order to preserve urinary and sexual functions.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): we already mentioned how BPH is common in older men, and indeed it usually doesn’t require a robotic prostatectomy treatment, but it may be considered in cases where severe BPH complications arise (recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder stones, urinary retention that can’t be managed through other treatments). Although robotic prostatectomy can be performed to treat BPH, there are other treatments that surgeons perform more often to treat it, like the transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or the laser prostate surgery.
Localized Prostate Lesions: if the patient has non-cancerous tumors or lesions in the prostate that require surgical removal, robotic prostatectomy can be performed to precisely remove them while minimizing damage to the surrounding tissues.

The robotic treatment: the robotic prostatectomy

Prostate cancer’s robotic surgery usually consists of robotic prostatectomy.

The robotic prostatectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat prostate conditions and diseases. It involves the use of cutting-edge technology such as the Da Vinci Surgical System, to assist the surgeon in removing the prostate. Check out our article about the Da Vinci Surgical System for more information.

Prostate cancer robotic surgery: an overview of the procedure

Undergoing a robotic prostatectomy is a procedure made out of many steps. Let’s see all of them in detail.

Preparation: before the surgery, patients undergo a series of tests to evaluate their overall health and determine the extent of the prostate cancer. These tests may include blood tests, imaging tests (such as MRI or CT scans), and a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancer.
General anesthesia: the patient is placed under general anesthesia to ensure they remain unconscious and pain-free during the whole procedure.
Incisions: Small incisions – usually around 1cm in length – are made in the abdomen. These serve as entry points for the surgical instruments, such as the laparoscope, and the camera used during the procedure.
Robot setup: The surgeon controls the robotic arms from a console located in the operating room. The robotic arms are equipped with specialized surgical instruments and a high-definition camera. The camera provides a magnified, 3D view of the surgical site, allowing for precise movements.
Prostate removal: through the robotic instruments, the surgeon carefully removes the prostate gland along with the surrounding tissues (if necessary). The goal is to completely remove the cancerous tissue while preserving surrounding nerves and structures to minimize side effects such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Closure: Once the prostate has been removed, the surgeon closes the incisions with sutures or surgical glue.
Recovery: After the procedure, the patients are closely monitored in the recovery room. Most patients can fully recover within a day or two after surgery, although recovery times may vary.

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