Robotics treatment for prostate cancer

Prostate cancer, which affects the prostate gland, is one of the most common forms of cancer among men and becomes more prevalent as they get older. Common treatment options to cure the disease are usually aggressive and can cause the patient to suffer from side effects, leading doctors to develop new and better techniques to treat their patients.

The signs and patients at-risk


The prostate is a male gland, typically the size of a walnut or larger, that sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Its function is to produce fluid that protects and nourishes sperm cells in semen.

Cancer of the prostate usually develops from the gland cells. Symptoms of the disease include difficulty passing urine, blood in the urine and erectile dysfunction.

Men above the age of 50 are most at risk of developing the disease. And the probability increases to 80 percent once they hit 80 years old, says Dr Isares Saisorn, a specialist in urological surgery at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Other primary contributing factors include smoking and a diet rich in animal fat, and certain racial groups are also predisposed to developing prostate cancer.

Modern treatment options available depending on severity of the disease


Doctors usually perform a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test to screen patients for prostate cancer. The PSA is a protein produced by prostate gland cells, and leaks into the bloodstream when the cancer attacks the normal structure of the prostate. A PSA test would therefore show positive for the cancer if it detects elevated levels of the protein in the blood.

But this test is not a perfect method, says Dr Isares. “There are many other factors that could increase the PSA levels, and some of these causes are unknown. But at least we have a way to screen for prostate cancer.”

Treatment varies according to the development stage of the cancer and its aggressiveness, which is determined by the Gleason grading system. A higher Gleason score indicates a more aggressive cancer, and would require surgery or radiation therapy to treat the patient. Although these treatment options often yield successful results in treating prostate cancer, they could also lead to side effects in the patient including urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and bladder inflammation.

Dr Isares recommends a new form of treatment that reduces the risk of side effects. High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) produces an ultrasound wave, about 10,000 times stronger than a normal ultrasound, directed at the prostate cancer cells, heating them up and killing them.

Because HIFU is controlled by a robotic arm and monitored real-time by doctors, Dr Isares says that they are able to avoid other structures near the prostate like the bladder, the sphincter muscles that control continence and the nerves that control erection.

Early detection of prostate cancer


There are no enforced guidelines to prostate cancer screening, but Dr Isares advises those who are at higher risk of developing the cancer or have a family history to go for an annual PSA test.

“There are studies to show that men aged 45 to 50 who have a PSA level of less than one have a very small chance of developing prostate cancer in their lifetime,” says Dr Isares. Therefore, he says a screening every two to three years after 50 would suffice.

He also recommends a lifestyle change to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. This includes quitting smoking, having a diet with less animal fat and increasing vitamin D intake.

About Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital

Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital is a JCI-accredited, award-winning facility in Bangkok, Thailand providing international-standard healthcare. Built in 1979, the hospital’s commitment to quality care and innovation has kept it at the forefront of medical technology. Today, the hospital is recognised as a provider of choice for both local residents and expatriates living in Thailand. Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital has been recognised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO). The hospital also has an immigration counter to assist foreigners with visa and other immigration requirements.

For more details, please visit Samitivej Hospitals.

Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital
133 Sukhumvit 49 Klongtan Nua, Vadhana Bangkok 10110
Tel: +66 (0) 2022 2222
Email: info@samitivej.co.th
www.samitivejhospitals.com/sukhumvit/