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As robotic techniques continue to evolve, these surgical procedures hold great potential for further transforming cancer treatment and enhancing the quality of care for patients
As compared to traditional open surgery, the minimal invasion in robotic surgery results in reduced postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays.
In recent years, the field of surgical oncology has been revolutionized by the integration of cutting-edge technologies like robotic surgery, which has significantly transformed the way cancer is treated these days. While traditional surgical procedures involve large incisions and extensive manual manipulation by the surgeon, robotic surgery combines precision technology with surgical expertise to perform minimally invasive procedures with enhanced precision and control. For the treatment of prostate and kidney cancer, robotic-assisted surgery has been particularly transformative – enhancing surgical precision, reducing postoperative pain, and shortening patient recovery times. Dr. Amlan Chakraborty , Consultant Urology, Uro-Oncology & Robotic Surgery at CMRI Kolkata shares all you need to know
Robotic Surgery for Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is a complex disease associated with the abnormal growth of cells in the kidney tissue, leading to the formation of a mass called a tumor. Nowadays, in many cases, tumors in the kidney are detected in the early stage of diagnosis – mostly because of the wide availability of ultrasound sonography (USG). Medical experts more often see kidney tumors as accidental findings in the process of investigation for vague abdominal symptoms.
Early detection of kidney cancer is crucial to improve treatment outcomes, making removal of the tumor easier through surgery without the need for extensive procedure or treatment. In the nascent stage, when the size of the tumor is 4 cm or less, surgical procedures can be conducted to remove just the tumor in the kidney while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. This technique also known as the nephron-sparing surgery is the preferred treatment for small renal masses (SRMs) and localized renal cell carcinoma. However, this procedure require significant precision as the kidney is the second most vascular organ in the body.
Robotic assistance in kidney cancer surgery enables medical experts to perform the procedure more accurately, resulting in better surgical outcomes. Using the precise movement of robotic arms by an expert robotic surgeon gives desired results in many complex situations. One of the reasons that make robotic surgery for kidney surgery a revolutionary approach is its minimally invasive nature. As compared to traditional open surgery, the minimal invasion in robotic surgery results in reduced postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays.
Robotic surgery for kidney cancer includes two surgical procedures – Radical Nephrectomy and Nephroureterectomy. Radical Nephrectomy is the surgical procedure that involves removal of the whole kidney and the tumor and in Nephroureterectomy, the kidney and the ureter is completely removed when the tumor involves inner lining of the kidney. If the procedures are conducted with the use of robotics the recovery is fast and curative. Robotic surgery for kidney cancer is significantly affordable and many patients opt the robotic surgery to combat the small renal masses or early kidney cancer.
Prostate Cancer and Robotic Surgery
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men and the third mist common cancer-related deaths worldwide. While all men are at risk for developing prostate cancer, there are certain factors that raises the risk of getting the disease. One of the major risk factors of prostate cancer include older age as the cancer is rare among men under the age of 50. People with a family history of prostate and breast cancer and others having conditions like obesity are also at the risk of developing prostate cancer.
As in all other cancers, early detection is key to eradicating prostate cancer. With the use of robotics, the surgical procedure of prostate cancer is conducted with enhanced dexterity and precision. With the advanced surgical technique, surgeons can perform complex procedures with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. The surgery also results in reduced blood loss, lower risks of complications such as infections and incontinence and improved surgical outcomes.
There can be a prevalent misconception among many people that the robotic surgery for kidney or prostate cancer is expensive and unaffordable. This misconception mostly stems out of the perception that the cutting-edge technology integration in surgical processes can be expensive. However, the advanced equipment used in robotic surgery are well-available in most hospitals these days and the surgeons and operating staff come with special training and expertise. Hence, robotic surgery is more affordable compared to the conventional surgery to treat these complex cancers.
In a nutshell, advanced robotic systems used in surgical procedures of kidney and prostate cancer, coupled with the expertise of surgical oncologists, is a revolutionary patient centric approach that provides exceptional precision and better outcomes. As robotic techniques continue to evolve, these surgical procedures hold great potential for further transforming cancer treatment and enhancing the quality of care for patients.
