Why early detection of prostate cancer is important
Prostate cancer is the most common solid tumor in the male population of the Western world.
The disease is initially suspected with a simple blood test, specific for prostate cancer, called PSA. An increased PSA value or its rise, often accompanied by the simultaneous finding of hardness during digital palpation of the prostate by the urologist, are indicative of the presence of cancer.
If there are indications of malignancy in the prostate, we submit the patient to an examination called multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate and then to a biopsy of it.
At the Center for Robotic and Advanced Surgical Urology and Andrology of the Athens Medical Center, we apply the technique of transperineal MRI fusion prostate biopsy. This technique is the most modern prostate biopsy technique worldwide and maximizes the diagnostic accuracy of detecting the disease, while minimizing the risk of adverse effects from the biopsy.
Informing the population about the prevention of prostate cancer is important in order to achieve early diagnosis with quick and simple steps. The earlier we detect the disease, the better oncological and functional results we have when treating it. In addition, we have more available options for treating it, either by performing a surgical intervention, such as robotic or laparoscopic prostatectomy, or by performing more targeted focal treatments, such as using the robotic HIFU focal one system.
Robotic treatment of prostate cancer achieves perhaps the best results in treating the disease and in case of early diagnosis of the disease, the probability of complete cure after surgical intervention exceeds 95% and overall survival from the disease increases significantly. At the same time, the earlier the disease is detected, the better results we have both in urinary continence, especially with the Retzius sparing prostatectomy technique, and in maintaining erectile function.
An alternative treatment to robotic surgery is focal therapy using the robotic HIFU focal one system. It is logical that the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the smaller the focus of the disease and consequently we can apply focal treatment techniques using the robotic HIFU focal one system, minimizing the risk of urinary continence and erectile function disorders.
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