Robot prostatectomy cuts incontinence, surgeon finds

Reuters Health - NEW YORK | Wed Aug 8, 2012


Robot surgery for prostate cancer lowered the rate of urinary complications compared with hands-on surgery in a new Italian study.

While the study was small and contradicts earlier results, it's important because robot surgery has quickly overtaken cheaper alternatives in the U.S., helped by hospitals aggressively marketing the technology.


Cooperberg said surgeon skill and experience is more important than the technology they use. Patients, he added, should not be afraid to ask their surgeon about his or her outcomes.
 
And that, perhaps, is the strongest conclusion from the new report.

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Statins Don't Cut Prostate Cancer Recurrence After Prostatectomy

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Aug 01 -

Statin users did not have a lower rate of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy in a recent study.
"Prostate cancer can be a very aggressive disease, and we are all looking for a golden bullet to stop it in its tracks," Dr. Alon Y. Mass from New York University School of Medicine in New York City told Reuters Health by email.

"We entered this study being hopeful that we may be able to isolate a viable therapy to combat the progression of prostate cancer after prostatectomy. Unfortunately, statins don't seem to be the answer."

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