When faced with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, a man will have several decisions to make.  The most important decision is determining the best available method of treatment.

A couple of different options for treating prostate cancer are Cyberknife Robotic Radiosurgery and Robotic Radical Prostatectomy. 

Cyberknife Robotic Radiosurgery

Cyberknife is an FDA-approved surgery involving no cutting but rather uses radiation for targeting the cancer.  The patient will undego targeted radiation to the cancerous area for a series of 1-5 procedures conducted over several days reducing the need for several weeks of traditional radiation therapy. The Cyberknife system delivers high dose radiation precisely pinpointing just the cancerous prostate while it limits radiation exposure to surrounding non-cancerous tissue vastly minimizing damage to those areas.

Cyberknife does have some limitations though.  Before the surgery, a CT scan must be done to determine the size, shape and location of the tumor.  It is possible for the scan to miss a much larger tumor than what was originally detected thus leading to undertreatment.

Because radiation is being used, if the cancer was to return, it may reduce treatment options for the second go round making it more difficult to perform robotic radical prostatectomy surgery.

After radiation, PSA levels may continue to fluctuate causing undue stress along with ongoing prostate cancer tests and treatments.

Robotic Radical Prostatectomy

Prostate cancer surgery is called a prostatectomy.  A robotic radical prostatectomy allows a surgeon to operate through minimal small precise incisions inside the patient’s body using da Vinci techonology.

The surgeon is in control 100% of the time using a tiny instrument called a laparoscope.  A laparoscope is a thin tube with a tiny camera guided by a light at the end.  The camera sends images to a video monitor which the surgeon views directly during surgery. 

At all times the doctor has a 3D view of the surgical site allowing the surgeon to guide the proficient instruments in all directions with full rotation. 

The advantages of robotic prostate surgery are minimal blood loss, 96.7% of patients have less than a 24 hour stay in the hospital and a man’s PSA level remains at zero.  And that is the best advantage of all for the patient and his family. 

Any man diagnosed with prostate cancer must talk to their doctor to decide if da Vinci surgery is right for them.  A thorough review of all non-surgical and surgical options need to be weighed in order to make an informed decision.