Prostate cancer has reached epidemic proportions in recent years and is the most common cancer in men.
“Technological developments in the field of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment have significantly reduced deaths from the disease, but also the complications that accompanied earlier treatments, such as open prostatectomy with an incision, points out Dr. Nikolaos A. Kostakopoulos MD , PHD, FEBU Surgeon Urologist-Andrologist, Doctor of the University of Athens EKPA, Curator of the 1st Urology Clinic Metropolitan General and continues:
“Fusion transperineal biopsy of the prostate is the most modern, accurate and safest technique for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. With special software, the images of the patient’s multiparametric MRI are combined with the ultrasound of the prostate, in order to identify and map with millimeter precision the suspicious foci, from which biopsies need to be taken.”
The technique is performed with a special ultrasound head and mesh through the perineum (the skin between the testicles and the anus) rather than through the rectum, thus minimizing the chances of serious UTI and sepsis that exist with the classic rectal (through the rectal) biopsy.
The new technique does not require the patient to stay in the hospital, and the same day he returns to his home and to his activities.
“If prostate cancer is found on biopsy, the patient can be scheduled for robotic removal of the prostate. With robotic prostatectomy, prostate cancer is effectively and safely treated with the most modern Da Vinci Xi robotic system, without an incision with small holes and therefore with minimal pain and less chance of hernia after the operation,” he emphasizes.
At the same time the patients remain much fewer days in the hospital, the catheter is removed in less time and they return to their activities almost immediately. They also come back faster n urinary continence and erectile functionas with the 3D vision and image magnification offered by the robot, as well as the precision of movements that minimizes human error, the likelihood of preserving the nerves and vessels that regulate erection increases.
“Furthermore, with the robotic operation we face in most cases minimal blood loss in contrast to the highly bleeding open surgery.
With the modern methods we have in our arsenal, we are able to offer the patient the best possible result in the treatment of prostate cancer, safely and maintaining a good quality of life”, concludes Dr. Costakopoulos.
