Current developments in prostate cancer
What is Robotic Surgery?
In which cases of prostate cancer is it indicated and what advantages and disadvantages does it present, compared to the classic surgical approach?
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. Both the European and the American Urological Society have established annual screening for every man after the age of 50, with PSA and examination by a urologist. Thus, any increased value or sudden increase in PSA should raise suspicion of prostate cancer and subsequently be investigated by a urologist.
In recent years, significant revolutions have occurred in the field of prostate cancer, both in terms of diagnosis and treatment.
A) Initially, the appearance of multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), in centers with experience and modern equipment, allows for the accurate detection of prostate cancer. Any sudden increase in PSA is first investigated with a multiparametric prostate MRI, allowing the identification of a possible suspicious lesion in the prostate. Moreover, the guidelines of the European Urological Association (EAU) recommend that this imaging be performed before performing any prostate biopsy.
B) The second development concerns the application of prostate biopsy through the perineum (transperineal biopsy), with Fusion technology. With this method, (after fusing the mp-MRI and transrectal ultrasound images) prostate tissue samples are obtained with greater diagnostic accuracy, reliability, a lower rate of infections/sepsis, a lower need for antibiotics, and offers the possibility of carrying out targeted treatments where indicated.
C) A major revolution is now the treatment of prostate cancer with increasingly minimally invasive surgical techniques such as Robotic surgery, which allows the treatment of both localized and advanced prostate cancer.
Besides, our clinic has many years of experience as the first robotic system was installed at the Maroussi Medical Center 15 years ago.
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