According to consultant urologist, endourologist and robotic surgeon Dr Christopher Lee Kheng Siang, the risk of prostate cancer increases with age. Sadly, 60% of patients in Malaysia are diagnosed at late stages, reflecting the importance of early detection.
“Prostate cancer is largely asymptomatic, or the symptoms may be confused with those of benign prostate enlargement,” he told Bernama recently. “But it can be detected via a tumour marker called prostate-specific antigen, which can be included in regular medical checkups.”
Lee said prostate cancer can be treated early through surgery, radiotherapy, or focal therapy, although the latter is not yet widely available in Malaysia. He added that advancements in technology are helping patients recover more quickly and comfortably.
According to Lee, different options are available for different stages of the disease, depending on the patient’s condition. Surgery options include open surgery, which involves a large incision in the abdomen, or laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, which involves multiple small incisions.
In addition, there is robotic-assisted surgery, a more advanced form of laparoscopic surgery.
“Robotic-assisted surgery utilises robotic arms that are fully controlled by the surgeon to achieve more precise and finer surgical movements. It is especially important for the reconstruction of the urethra to the bladder after the prostate removal,” Lee explained.
He said this method is less painful and involves less blood loss compared with conventional surgeries. Those in recovery undergo a shorter average hospital stay of three days compared to five.
Lee noted that many patients assume robotic-assisted surgery is performed solely by artificial intelligence, which often causes fear. In actuality, the robot is a precision tool controlled by the surgeon, with human expertise guiding every step of the procedure.
“There are technological advancements in robotic instruments with higher versatility, allowing greater flexibility in movement. Improvements in camera resolution offer high-definition and three-dimensional views of the surgical anatomy during surgery.
“There is also intelligent software that aids in the positioning of the robotic console and robotic arm, which allows faster preparation for surgery,” he said.
Other recent advancements involve 5G connectivity to the device, which enables telesurgery. But while telesurgery has been successfully tested and implemented in other developed countries, it has yet to be tested here in Malaysia.
Lee recommends that prostate cancer patients talk to their doctor about treatments available for their condition, seek insights from support groups, and read official medical websites to gain a clearer understanding of surgical methods.