Robotic surgery shows good results: Study

The study, by the University of California-Los Angeles, found that robotic-assisted prostate is more precise than other types of surgery and is far less likely to leave cancer cells at the edges of tumor sites, Newsmax Health reports.

As a result, men who undergo the robotic procedure also have less need for additional cancer treatments — such as hormone therapy or radiation — than those who have traditional surgery, according to the study published in the journal European Urology.

The new study, led by Jim Hu, M.D., compared 5,556 cancer patients who received robotic surgery with 7,878 who underwent traditional "open surgery" between 2004 and 2009. The researchers looked at the amount of cancer cells at the edge of the tumor site. When too many cells are present, it can indicate surgeons have not completely removed the cancer, leaving patients at risk it may spread.

The study also assessed the use of additional cancer therapies — a hormone therapy and radiation — after robotic surgery and open surgery.

Dr. Hu’s team found that robotic surgery led to fewer cells at the edges of tumor cites, particularly among patients with aggressive, high-risk prostate cancer. Patients who had robotic surgery also were one-third less likely to need additional cancer therapies within two years after the procedure.