Fox News Medical Contributor Explains Study of Side Effects from Prostate-Cancer Treatments

Innovative robotic prostatectomy surgery improves quality of life after prostate cancer, according to David Samadi, MD

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Feb 05, 2013, 11:27 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Prostate Cancer Outcomes Study (PCOS) in the January 31, 2013 New England Journal of Medicine, http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1209978 reported the functional status of men after robotic prostate surgery and external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for localized prostate cancer. Most men in the study (now ages 70-89) reported some problems with urinary control and sex after treatment for prostate cancer. Long-term side effects, 15 years after prostatectomy or radiation, were not significantly different.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130205/NY54078 )

Dr. David Samadi, Vice Chairman, Department of Urology and Chief of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center and Fox News medical contributor, spoke on the network yesterday about the outcomes reported in this study http://www.media.roboticoncology.com/tv-interviews/TheSideEffectsofProstateCancerTreatments/. "These men underwent prostate cancer treatment in the mid-to-late '90s when radiation was less advanced and prostatectomy surgery was performed as an open or laparoscopic procedure. Surgery, in particular, has greatly advanced over the past 15 years," said Dr. Samadi, who performs custom SMART (Samadi Modified Advanced Robotic Technique) prostate-removal surgery.

Today, experienced prostate surgeons like Dr. Samadi have improved access to the prostate. During robotic prostatectomy surgery, smaller incisions and the introduction of CO₂to expand the abdomenyield minimal blood loss. "The marked improvement in visibility means I no longer have to rely on tactile feedback. Clear lines of sight translate to more thorough prostate cancer removal and greater protection of surrounding nerves," explains Dr. Samadi, who credits these enhancements and his surgical experience to improved patient outcomes, particularly in sexual and urinary functions.

SMART surgery prostatectomy improving patient satisfaction

In an effort to support men with more timely data, Dr. Samadi and his team conducted a separate study with nearly 1,000 consecutive SMART surgery patients. Eight-eight percent of those who completed the questionnaire reported satisfaction with their treatment decision. The results were published in December 2012 in The Journal of Urology, http://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(12)04453-9/abstract. "The majority of men who chose SMART surgery are happy with their quality of life less than a year after surgery, specifically related to sexual enjoyment and urinary control," said Dr. Samadi.

Dr. Samadi encourages men to take the reigns on their prostate cancer treatment, particularly when diagnosed early, by partnering with an expert in their chosen treatment method. "Medicine has become very complicated. Men need to choose a prostate cancer partner whose expertise aligns with their preferred treatment. In the case of surgery, volume and surgical outcomes must be considered," stressed Dr. Samadi, who has performed more than 4,000 successful prostatectomy procedures.

SEX AFTER PROSTATE CANCER : A Candid Look - Click Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7I0Q7mGhE0

SOURCE roboticoncology.com