Diagnostic Center for Disease: Robotic Prostatectomy - A Race t...( SARASOTA Fla. June 24 /- The foll...),Health

SARASOTA, Fla., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued today by Diagnostic Center for Disease --

"There is currently no convincing evidence that early screening, detection,

and treatment improve mortality. Limitations in prostate cancer screening
include potential adverse health effects associated with

false-positive and negative results, and treatment side effects." Policy Statement from the American College of Preventive Medicine,

published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, February 2008

There were an estimated 50,000 robotic prostatectomies performed in 2007(1). It is projected that the number could double in 2008. Robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is now generally accepted by Urology as the "gold standard" of curative treatment for Prostate Cancer. Like conventional laparoscopic surgery to remove the prostate gland, "robotic" prostatectomy is presented and described as a "minimally invasive" procedure. Robotic surgery is possible due to some amazing technology. One excellent example is the "da Vinci" system manufactured by Intuitive Medical, Inc. The device is remotely operated by the surgeon. Television cameras inserted into the abdomen provide multiple views and simulate three-dimensional vision. The robot consists of small, articulating arms which can perform multiple tasks. Operating tools include suture, scalpel, cauterizing tool, etc. This is a laparoscopic surgical process and is considered to be minimally invasive. Promoters of robotic prostatectomy routinely use the term "promising" in their expectation that this device and procedure will eventually demonstrate improvement in the cure rate for prostate cancer. Their enthusiasm is generated by the awareness that other curative treatments have a poor track record to cure prostate cancer. This procedure is also accompanied in far too many cases, by other negative side effects such as incontinenc
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