Understanding the Prostate
The prostate is a small gland that forms part of the male urinary and reproductive system. Located just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, it produces fluid that nourishes and protects sperm, playing an important role in male fertility.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men, particularly those over the age of 50. When detected early, it is highly treatable.
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of:
- A PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test
- A digital rectal examination (DRE)
- An MRI scan when indicated
- A prostate biopsy to confirm the diagnosis
Once diagnosed, the cancer is carefully assessed to determine its stage and grade, allowing the most appropriate treatment plan to be recommended.
Treatment Options
Treatment is personalised according to the stage of the cancer, your overall health, and your individual goals. Options may include:
- Active surveillance for carefully selected low-risk cancers
- Robotic radical prostatectomy (robot-assisted surgery)
- Radiation therapy, including brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy
- Hormone therapy
Your urologist will discuss each option with you and help determine the treatment that offers the best possible outcome.
Robotic Radical Prostatectomy
The procedure is performed by your surgeon, who controls the robotic instruments from a specialised console. The robotic system does not operate independently, it translates your surgeon’s hand movements into highly precise, minimally invasive movements.
The primary goals of surgery are to:
- Completely remove the cancer
- Preserve urinary continence whenever possible
- Maximise preservation of erectile function where it is safe to do so
Why Choose Robotic Surgery?
Compared with traditional open surgery, robotic-assisted surgery offers several potential advantages.
During Surgery
- Enhanced high-definition 3D visualisation
- Greater surgical precision through wristed robotic instruments
- Small keyhole incisions instead of a single large incision
- Improved preservation of important nerves and surrounding structures
- Reduced blood loss and lower likelihood of requiring a blood transfusion
- Precise reconstruction of the bladder and urethra
After Surgery
Patients may experience:
- Less post-operative discomfort
- Smaller scars
- Earlier mobilisation
- Shorter hospital stays
- Earlier catheter removal in appropriate cases
- Faster recovery and return to normal daily activities
Individual recovery varies from patient to patient.
Potential Risks and Complications
As with any surgical procedure, robotic prostate surgery carries potential risks. Although complications are uncommon, they may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to surrounding structures, including the bowel or rectum
- Temporary bowel slowing (ileus) or constipation
- Urinary leakage or prolonged urinary incontinence
- Erectile dysfunction
- Blood clots
- Anaesthetic-related complications
As your surgeon, I will discuss these risks with you in detail before surgery and explain the measures taken to minimise them.
Costs and Medical Aid
Due to robotic surgery requiring specialised equipment and single-use robotic instruments, additional costs may apply depending on your medical aid cover.
A personalised quotation will be provided before your procedure, and the necessary pre-authorisation will be arranged through Mediclinic before surgery to ensure you have a clear understanding of any potential co-payments.
