Prostate cancer: a disease that cannot be prevented, but can be cured
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Most cases of prostate cancer occur in patients with no family history of the disease.
Santo Domingo. –Prostate cancer, a “silent enemy of men”, is not a preventable disease; however, it can be cured if detected in time.
So explains Dr. Johanna Marte Díaz, a urologic oncologist at Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS), who recommends that men have an annual prostate check-up from the age of 40.
She adds that this check-up can detect a rise in prostate-specific antigen that raises suspicion of this intruder, allowing it to be diagnosed at an early stage and a treatment option with curative intent to be offered
The men’s health specialist says this is the fourth most common type of cancer in the world and the second most common in men, and estimates that one in eight men will develop it during their lifetime, while six out of 10 diagnosed cases will be in men aged over 65.
“Unfortunately, it gives no warning signs or symptoms unless the disease is advanced. Obstructive urinary symptoms related to benign enlargement of the prostate are more common,” the doctor says of the symptoms.
She maintains that there are tools that can help diagnose prostate cancer, such as a good medical history, a proper physical examination (digital rectal examination), a prostate-specific antigen blood test, prostate imaging and multiparametric MRI, which provides the most information.
“The definitive diagnosis would be made through histopathological study of prostate tissue (prostate biopsy)”, when the imaging study detects a lesion and a biopsy is performed.
Dr. Marte Díaz said that HOMS currently has the medical expertise and advanced technology equipment to diagnose and treat prostate cancer at any stage.
“We are trained in all forms of surgical treatment for this male disease and were the pioneers in the country in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy,” she says.
She also highlights that HOMS has its Cancer Center for managing cancer patients, with nuclear medicine and radiotherapy, as well as a multidisciplinary oncology committee where each patient is assessed as an individual case, with the approach chosen that best suits each particular case.
What does prostate surgery involve?
The doctor explains that the surgery for the radical treatment of prostate cancer is known as radical prostatectomy, which can be performed conventionally as open surgery, laparoscopically or with robotic assistance (Robotic Surgery).
Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is the gold standard in the management of prostate cancer with curative intent, with a high rate of oncological control, a lower risk of intra- and post-operative complications, and a faster recovery.
The procedure involves completely removing the prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissue in patients with malignant prostate tumours (prostate cancer).
Robotic radical prostatectomy provides a 3D view of the surgical field, with visualisation of anatomical planes and more refined movements by the surgeon, achieving better oncological control.
About HOMS
HOMS is a pioneer in the Dominican Republic in robotic surgery and holds international certification from Accreditation Canada (ACI) as a guarantee of safety and quality of care, positioning it as a leader in health tourism in the north of the country.