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A prostate cancer diagnosis can quickly lead to difficult decisions. Should the cancer be monitored or treated? Is surgery necessary? Is radiotherapy an alternative? If surgery is recommended, should it be robotic?
For men considering robotic prostatectomy in Turkey, understanding the cancer itself should come before choosing the surgical technology or destination.
Not every prostate cancer requires surgery, and not every patient is an appropriate candidate for radical prostatectomy.
Radical prostatectomy is an operation that removes the prostate gland and certain surrounding tissues as treatment for prostate cancer. Depending on the individual case, nearby lymph nodes may also need to be assessed or removed.
The decision to recommend surgery can depend on factors including:
This is why prostate cancer treatment should be personalised.
No. Depending on the characteristics of the cancer and patient, management options may include:
Some lower-risk cancers may be monitored rather than treated immediately. Other cancers require active treatment.
Understanding which category your cancer belongs to is therefore crucial before deciding on surgery.
Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy is a minimally invasive surgical approach. The surgeon operates from a console and controls specialised robotic instruments inside the patient.
The system can provide magnified three-dimensional visualisation and instruments capable of precise movements.
A key point is: the robot does not perform the surgery independently. The surgeon remains responsible for every important part of the procedure.
The da Vinci system is one of the robotic platforms used for minimally invasive surgery. It allows the surgeon to control small instruments through several incisions while viewing the surgical field in high definition and magnification.
Robotic technology can assist the surgeon, but the technology itself should not be considered a substitute for surgical experience.
Both approaches aim to treat the cancer surgically. Robotic-assisted surgery uses smaller incisions and may provide certain perioperative advantages in appropriately selected patients.
However, patients should not evaluate prostate cancer treatment based solely on incision size. Important outcomes include:
These outcomes are influenced by cancer characteristics, patient factors and surgical experience.
Nerves involved in erectile function run close to the prostate. When cancer location and extent allow, the surgeon may attempt to preserve these nerve structures. This is known as nerve-sparing surgery.
However, nerve preservation must not compromise appropriate cancer treatment. Whether unilateral or bilateral nerve sparing is possible depends on the individual cancer and anatomy.
Urinary control is one of the main concerns patients have before prostatectomy. Temporary urinary leakage can occur after catheter removal, and recovery varies between individuals.
Factors influencing continence can include:
Some patients recover control relatively quickly while others require more time. No responsible healthcare provider should guarantee a specific continence outcome before surgery.
Sexual function after prostatectomy is another important issue.
Recovery can be influenced by:
Patients should discuss expected sexual-function outcomes openly with the urological team. Robotic technology alone cannot guarantee preservation of erectile function.
Recovery depends on the individual patient and procedure.
Hospital recovery: Patients are monitored after surgery and encouraged to mobilise according to the medical team's recommendations.
Urinary catheter: A urinary catheter is generally required temporarily while the surgical connection heals. The treating team will determine when it can safely be removed.
Returning to normal activities: Walking usually increases gradually. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are restricted during the initial healing period. Return to work depends on the patient's recovery and occupation.
PSA monitoring is an important part of follow-up after radical prostatectomy. Because the prostate has been removed, PSA is expected to fall to a very low or undetectable level.
Subsequent PSA testing helps the medical team monitor for evidence of recurrent disease. The exact follow-up schedule should be determined by the treating oncology or urology team.
The final pathology after surgery provides important information about:
This information can influence subsequent follow-up and whether additional treatment needs to be considered.
A second opinion can be particularly useful because prostate cancer has several potential management strategies.
A specialist review may help answer:
The goal is not necessarily to change the original recommendation. It is to make sure that you understand your diagnosis and realistic options.
Useful information can include:
In some situations, pathology review or additional imaging may be recommended.
The cost varies according to:
A meaningful quotation should therefore follow medical assessment rather than being based only on a diagnosis of "prostate cancer".
International treatment requires planning beyond the operation itself.
Patients should understand:
Healbridge helps coordinate this process between international patients, specialists and selected hospitals in Türkiye.
Is robotic prostatectomy better than open surgery? Robotic surgery offers a minimally invasive approach and may provide certain perioperative advantages. However, the appropriate operation depends on the individual patient, cancer and surgical expertise.
Does the robot perform the operation? No. The surgeon controls the robotic instruments throughout the procedure.
How long will I have a catheter? The duration varies according to the procedure and individual healing. Your surgeon will determine when removal is appropriate.
Will I be incontinent? Temporary leakage can occur after prostatectomy, and recovery varies. Individual outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Will I lose sexual function? Erectile function can be affected by prostatectomy. Recovery depends on multiple factors, including preoperative function and whether nerve preservation is medically appropriate.
Can my prostate cancer case be reviewed before I travel? In many cases, an initial assessment can begin remotely using your PSA history, MRI, biopsy/pathology and other medical reports.
Before choosing surgery, radiotherapy or another treatment, it can be valuable to fully understand your diagnosis and available options.
Send Healbridge your PSA history, MRI and biopsy/pathology reports. We can help coordinate an appropriate specialist review before you decide whether travelling to Türkiye for treatment is right for you.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace individual medical advice. Prostate cancer treatment must be personalised according to the patient's cancer characteristics, health and specialist assessment.