Dr. David B. Samadi Discusses Why Robotic Surgery is Quickly Becoming the Go-To Standard for Prostate Cancer Treatment

NEW YORK, May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Robotic prostatectomy and prostate cancer treatment expert Dr. David B. Samadi, Vice Chairman, Department of Urology, and Chief of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, appeared on FOX-NY's Good Day New York to discuss the successes of robotic surgery in prostate cancer treatment, and the benefits it has over other treatment options, making robotic surgery a preferential method for prostate cancer treatment.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110504/NY95457)

When choosing a robotic prostatectomy as a first line of defense against organ confined prostate cancer, the odds of a cancer cure with minimal post operative complications are in the patient's favor, according to data gathered from Mount Sinai's robotic surgery program.

In the event of the recurrence of cancer, radiation can then be used as an additional tool to treat the patient.  "If a patient is first treated with radiation, and the prostate cancer returns, it's extremely difficult to follow-up with a successful prostate surgery, known as a salvage robotic prostatectomy, unless the surgeon is very skilled in the technique.  The incidences of incontinence, as well as impotence, are extremely high after prostate surgery under this scenario.  I see low dose radiation as a supplemental tool to robotic surgery.  It's useful in treating recurring cancer after a prostatectomy, which is unlikely to occur based on my surgical experience, particularly with the SMART Surgery Technique," said Samadi.

SMART refers to Samadi Modified Advanced Robotic Technique, coined and perfected by Dr. Samadi himself after years of robotic prostatectomy experience. The SMART Technique allows for a "bloodless" prostate surgery requiring no transfusion.  The technique is a fusion of Samadi's expertise in open, laparoscopic and robotic prostatectomy surgeries, and is unique in that there is no opening of the endopelvic fascia, and the dorsal vein is not sutured until the end of the case.  This minimizes the risk of damage to the delicate nerve bundles responsible for sexual and urinary function.  Through use of the SMART surgery technique, at one year, 97% of Dr. Samadi's robotic prostatectomy patients are cured of cancer, 96% regain urinary control and 85% regain sexual function.  "The less you do as the surgeon, the less risk there is to the surrounding tissue.  Robotic surgery using the SMART surgery technique allows me to perform just what's needed for the patient, which is safe removal of the prostate gland, while avoiding unnecessary damage to the rest of the body.  It's a hybrid of all of the best aspects of open surgery, laparoscopy, and robotic surgery," said Samadi.

Of the benefits of robotic surgery prior to radiation treatment Samadi said, "Removal of the prostate gland allows me to better stage, grade and cure the cancer.  This reduces future complications and cancer recurrence rates, and leads to a better quality of life for my patients.  Knowing that the cancer has been entirely removed is a great benefit to men who have suffered from this disease.  It's also important for men to realize that in the event that the cancer does come back that there are still treatment options, such as radiation, available to them.  When choosing radiation therapy as a primary treatment method you're greatly limiting your options for future treatment, as well as the doctors capable of providing you care.  With a 5-10% chance of cancer recurrence after radiation therapy the lack of surgical treatment methods is a missed opportunity for patients.  As a side-effect, radiation therapy also carries a 5-10% chance of secondary cancer, such as rectal cancer and bladder cancer."

Dr. Samadi, who has performed over 3,300 successful robotic prostatectomy procedures at Mount Sinai, strongly believes in performing all of his surgeries himself, from beginning to end.  In addition, Dr. Samadi has worked with the same experienced surgical team for almost a decade.  Of his methods Samadi said, "Providing truly personalized care is a main part of my treatment philosophy, and being the only surgeon responsible for a patient's outcome is an extension of that philosophy.  When patients come to Mount Sinai's robotic surgery program, they become a member of our family.  It's my goal to see them through their difficult time, and provide them with not only a cure, but the best possible quality of life afterwards. "

Watch Dr. Samadi's interview on FOX-NY's Good Day New York at:  http://www.youtube.com/roboticoncology#p/a/u/0/Wr8EEhQrNl0

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SOURCE Smart-surgery.com