Surgery seems to be one of the many options for treating prostate cancer. While through a surgery doctors may be successful in discarding the cancer-affected gland, patients are said to face many side effects. Urologic surgeons from the NewYork – Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center declare that a novel laser technology employed with robotic prostate cancer surgery declines the risk of hampering vital nerves responsibly for erections and urinary continence.
It has been ascertained that half of men face long-term sexual dysfunction after the surgery. The scientists claim this research is the first one to examine CO2 laser for prostate cancer. CO2 lasers may often be recommended to patients with cancer in the head and neck. Robotic prostate cancer surgery seems to be a potential form of treatment due to a unique, flexible, fiber-based delivery system. A robotic instrumentation is possibly employed to discard the patient’s prostate.
Dr. Ketan Badani, director of robotic urologic surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and assistant professor of urology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons shared, “The precision of movement available through robotic surgery is already helping reduce the risk of sexual side effects, and the early evidence is that CO2 lasers will help us be even more accurate — especially when preserving the sensitive nerve areas necessary for sexual function and urinary continence.”
The procedure involving a laser is claimed to take apart the plane between the nerves and the prostate for liberating the nerves and preserving them. The investigation includes laser employment in 10 cases. The newly developed technology appears easy to handle and very precise.
Dr. Badani added, “Traditionally, we cut, clip or cauterize the tissue around the prostate nerves. However, these techniques can cause irreversible damage due to traction or heat injury. The CO2 laser may reduce this risk because it is low-heat and doesn’t require much manipulation of the nerves.”
During the research, experts noted that patients undergoing the latest technology reported a reoccurrence of urinary continence. Further investigations will be undertaken to ascertain the potential outcomes of this technology in capacitating men to sustain an erection, and its long-term ability to avoid cancer from coming back.
The research is published in the July online issue of the Journal of Endourology.