New Research Helps Prostate Cancer Patients Return to Function Quicker
Surgical research conducted at Stamford Hospital, in Stamford, CT, will help patients recovering from prostate cancer return to their lives faster. Learn how use of a carbon dioxide laser during surgery spares crucial nerves allowing cancer patients to retain sexual function and urinary continence.
Stamford, CT (PRWEB) January 11, 2011
The American Cancer Society reports that approximately one in every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, making it the second most common cancer and a leading cause of death for American men. In addition, prostate cancer is one of the most challenging to treat without leaving lasting side effects. Eligible area patients battling this disease can now look to a new surgical technique offered at Stamford Hospital, http://www. stamfordhospitalrobotic. com, which aims to preserve pivotal nerves and give men recovering from prostate cancer a shorter rehabilitation time.
A major concern for men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer is lasting damage to their urinary continence and sexual function. Traditional prostate cancer treatments include radical prostatectomies (removing the entire prostate gland), and radiation and hormone therapy. Any of these prostate cancer procedures can result in long-term side effects, specifically damage to nerves that effect potency.
Dr. Ketan Badani, head of Stamford Hospital's Urologic Robotics, has found that using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser during surgery gives prostate cancer patients a much better chance of retaining sexual function and urinary continence. With assistance from robotic instrumentation to remove the prostate, Dr. Badani is able to maneuver the flexible CO2 laser into the small and hard-to-reach area. While removing critical nerves encased around the prostate, the laser gives off very little heat, or thermal spread, and leaves the surrounding nerves unharmed. Since the cancer surgery is minimally-invasive, patients experience less trauma and spend a shorter time in rehabilitation.
"Until now, surgeons would cut or cauterize the nerves surrounding the prostate, risking irreversible damage," explained Dr. Badani. "Since the CO2 laser is much more precise and easy to manipulate, we can remove the nerves intact and preserve them. Men are back living normal lives much quicker than ever before."
For more information visit Stamford Hospital's prostate cancer surgery page or call 877.233.9355.
Stamford Hospital is a not-for-profit provider of comprehensive healthcare services in lower Fairfield County and the region. The mission of Stamford Hospital is to provide, together with its physicians, a broad range of high quality health and wellness services focused on the needs of our communities. Stamford Hospital is a member of the Planetree Alliance, a group of hospitals nationwide focused on patient-centered care. Stamford Hospital is affiliated with New York Presbyterian Health System and is a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
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