Cancer Control

In Prostate Cancer Treatment, Precision Matters

In prostate cancer treatment, millimeters matter. Nerve fibers and blood vessels are attached to the prostate gland. To spare these nerves, they must be delicately separated from the prostate before its removal. In comparison, radiation beam treatment can vary by several millimeters. In one study of newer radiation beam therapy the average variation of the beam target was 3mm between sessions.1 This variation can cause different amounts of radiation energy to be delivered to the edges of the prostate where the nerves are located.

Surgeons use the precision, vision and control provided by the da Vinci System to assist them in removal of the cancerous prostate while preserving important nerves and blood vessels. In several large published studies, da Vinci Prostatectomy has shown equal or lower rates of positive surgical margins (the measurement of cancer cells left behind) compared to other forms of surgery.

Surgeons use the precision, vision and control provided by the da Vinci System to assist them in removal of the cancerous prostate while preserving important nerves and blood vessels.

In several large published studies, da Vinci Prostatectomy has shown equal or lower rates of positive surgical margins (the measurement of cancer cells left behind) compared to other forms of surgery.



Cancer control is variable and based on each patient's specific cancer type. Surgeon experience is also an important factor. Talk to your doctor about what your individual expectations should be regarding cancer control.

1 Boda-Heggemann J, Kohler FM, Wertz H, et al. Intrafraction motion of the prostate during an IMRT session: a fiducial-based 3D measurement with Cone-beam CT. Radiat Oncol. 2008 Nov 5; 3(1):37.
2Patel VR, Thaly R, Shah K. Robotic radical prostatectomy: outcomes of 500 cases. BJU Int. 2007 May; 99(5):1109-12.
3Ahlering TE, Woo D, Eichel L, Lee DI, Edwards R, Skarecky DW. Robot-assisted versus open radical prostatectomy: a comparison of one surgeon’s outcomes. Urology. 2004 May; 63(5):819-22.
4Kaul, S, A Savera, K Badani, M Fumo, A Bhandari, M Menon. Functional outcomes and oncological efficacy of Vattikuti Institute prostatectomy with Veil of Aphrodite nerve-sparing: an analysis of 154 consecutive patients. BJU Int. 2006; 97:467-72.
5Tewari et al. Total reconstruction of the vesico-urethral junction, BJU international. 2008; 101, 871–877.
 

 


Detailed Treatment Comparison

Find out how the clinical outcomes of da Vinci Surgery and prostatectomy compare with radiation therapy and open surgery.

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