In two independent
analyses comparing robotic-assisted surgery and open surgery performed on
patients with urologic cancers, researchers found that robotic-assisted
surgery results in fewer overall complications during and after surgery, less
blood loss and shorter length of hospital stay.
In the first analysis, which was published in this month's issue of Cancer
Treatment Reviews, the authors (Li K, Tianxin L, Xinxiang F, et. al.) reviewed
the available literature on the efficacy and advantages of robotic-assisted
radical cystectomy (RARC) versus open radical cystectomy (ORC) performed for
bladder cancer. Included in the analysis (962 patients in total) were one
randomized controlled trial, eight retrospective studies with prospectively
collected data and four retrospective studies.
Radical cystectomy, which is the removal of the entire bladder, nearby lymph
nodes, part of the urethra, and nearby organs that may contain cancer cells,
is a common procedure performed for patients with stage 2 or stage 3 bladder
cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, bladder cancer is the
sixth most common cancer in the United States.^1 It is the third most common
cancer in men and the eleventh most common cancer in women, and causes
approximately 15,000 deaths each year.
The analysis shows that although RARC was associated with longer operative
time (p < 0.001), it may result in fewer overall complications during surgery
(p = 0.04), more lymph node yield (p = 0.009), less estimated blood loss (p <
0.001), a lower need for a blood transfusion (p < 0.001) and a shorter length
of hospital stay (p < 0.001). Positive surgical margins (leftover cancer
cells) did not differ significantly between the surgical techniques.
Sensitivity analysis on the prospective studies showed similar results except
that no significant difference was seen for lymph node yield and length of
stay between the two surgical techniques.
The second analysis, published in the World Journal of Urology by Dr. Gianni
Vittori from the Universita` di Firenze, compared kidney cancer patients who
had received robotic-assisted partial kidney removal with those who had
received open partial kidney removal. The two-year observational multicenter
analysis was promoted by the "Associazione GIovani Laparoscopisti
Endoscopisti" (AGILE), a non-profit foundation that involved six Italian
urologic centers.
This year, there will be an estimated 65,000 new cases and 14,000 deaths
related to kidney cancer in the United States. Since a majority of patients
are diagnosed when the tumor is still relatively localized (stage 1 and 2) and
are able to have surgery to remove the tumor, approximately 40 percent survive
for at least five years.
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Comments
Loading...
Posted In: News
Benzinga simplifies the market for smarter investing
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
Join Now: Free!
Already a member?Sign in