Prostate of the art

Robotic surgery is improving outcomes and reducing recovery times for men needing prostatectomies after a cancer diagnosis, say specialists.

- By SARA KEENAN

TREATMENT for prostate cancer has come a long way.

One area many men are reluctant to visit doctors about is their prostate health. Often driven by embarrassment, misconceptions and a lack of awareness, any delay in diagnosis increases the likelihood of cancer spreading and the requirement of treatments like prostatectomies - surgery on the prostate gland.

Prostatectomies however are no longer what they used to be, according to one of the UK's leading robotic surgeons and urologist at HCA Healthcare UK, Dr Chris Ogden.

What should men know about prostate cancer treatment?

"First of all I think it’s important for men to realise that many patients diagnosed with prostate cancer don’t need any treatment at all," Dr Odgen says. "If they have low-risk disease, then the recommendation would be for simply active surveillance or monitoring with regular blood tests and integral MRIs.

“However, if treatment is needed, there are good alternatives to radical prostatectomy in certain men with certain cancers. This includes treatments like focal therapy using energy sources such as sound waves or high-intensity focused ultrasound.”