Is Robotic Surgery Safe for Cancer Patients? Everything You Need to Know

There have been various changes that have occurred in the field of cancer treatment within the last ten years. One of the innovations in the surgical field is the robotic surgery. In case your doctor suggests that you need to undergo cancer surgery, there is one question that might come to mind – is robotic surgery safe?

Well, the quick answer is yes; robotic surgery is one of the safest options available for cancer patients. Nevertheless, in order to get the full picture, here are some facts that you should be aware of. Here, we will talk about everything related to cancer surgery using the robotic technology – including the safety, benefits and risks of this approach.

What is Robotic Surgery?

Robotic surgery, also called robot-assisted surgery, refers to minimally invasive procedure that requires a surgeon to use robotic systems to conduct complicated operations.

The most widely-used robotic system is da Vinci Surgical System, which allows the surgeon to do the following things:

• Control the robot’s hands via a console
• View the operation site with the help of HD 3D vision system
• Operate hands in a very precise manner

Please keep in mind that the robot works only because of the surgeon; the robot itself cannot make any decisions.

Robotic Surgery and Cancer: How is Robotic Surgery Done?

As mentioned before, robotic surgery is mostly used for removal of a tumor while keeping healthy tissue intact. This procedure includes:

• Making small cuts in your skin
• Placing robotic instruments inside the incisions
• Operating these instruments by the surgeon at a special console
• Getting the magnified view of the tumor with the help of cameras

Robotic surgery is usually done in cases of:

• Prostate cancer
• Gynecological cancers (e.g., uterus, cervix, ovaries)
• Colorectal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Head and neck cancers

Is Robotic Surgery Safe for Cancer Patients?

✔️ Evidence on the Safety of Robotic Surgery

According to scientific research, robotic surgery is quite safe for cancer patients as it was thoroughly studied. In fact, in many cases, it shows results that equal to, or even exceed results achieved through traditional surgery.

Here are some advantages:

• Greater precision (thus, lesser injury to surrounding tissues)
• Decreased risk of complications (less chances of getting infected or bleeding)
• Shorter hospital stay
• Less post-operative pain

✔️ Surgeon’s Experience Plays the Main Role

Safety heavily depends on how much experience the surgeon has as well as on the hospital he or she works for.

Also Read: Early Symptoms of Prostate Cancer You Should Never Ignore

Benefits of Robotic Surgery for Cancer Patients

• Minimally-Invasive Surgery Technique
  Surgery with fewer incisions means that the body gets less traumatized and heals quickly.
• Shorter Recovery Period
  In most cases, recovery after robotic surgery is faster than recovery after open surgery.
• Less Bleeding
  With the help of precision instruments, you can decrease chances of bleeding during the operation.
• Decreased Risk of Infection
  Small wounds lower risks of post-operative infections.
• Better Cosmesis
  The scars are minimal with robotic surgery; it is the biggest advantage of this approach for many patients.
• Increased Precision
  Thanks to the special filters that block hand tremors, robotic hands can make very accurate movements.

Risks and Drawbacks of Robotic Surgery

Even though robotic surgery is pretty safe, it cannot guarantee zero risks. Possible complications might include:

• Rare technical problems with robotic systems
• Larger amount of time spent on the procedure (especially in complicated cases)
• Higher price
• Not suitable for some kinds of cancer (in particular, widespread cancer)

Important Information

The effectiveness of robotic surgery depends on the following factors:

• Type of cancer and its stage
• Patient’s general condition
• Surgeon’s level of experience

Is Robotic Surgery Suitable for You?

There are some situations when robotic surgery can be applied; these include:

• Early stages of cancer development
• Needing a precise removal of the tumor
• Ability of the patient to go through minimally-invasive surgery
• Wanting faster recovery and minimal scars

Still, in some cases, it is not possible to apply this method; such instances include:

• Advanced or widespread cancer
• Specific medical problems
• Larger tumors

It is always a good idea to consult a competent oncologist.

Robotic Surgery and Traditional Open Surgery: Differences

It must be said that both types of surgery can be quite effective, but with robotic surgery recovery will probably be faster and more comfortable.

Is Robotic Surgery Better than Laparoscopic Surgery?

Robotic surgery is a step forward from laparoscopy surgery. Namely, robotic systems can provide:

• Better 3D visualization
• Greater ability to move around
• Higher precision in complicated procedures

However, laparoscopy is not inferior to robotic surgery and still used successfully in many cases.

Robotic Surgery Price in India

Another concern for patients considering robotic surgery is cost. In India, robotic surgeries cost somewhere between:

₹2,50,000 and ₹8,00,000

It mainly depends on:

• Type of cancer
• Location and hospital where the surgery will take place
• Experience of the surgeon

Even though the price is higher than traditional surgery costs, patients usually think that it is worth it.

Robotic Surgery for Cancer in Lucknow

Nowadays, one of the centers of innovative cancer treatment in India is Lucknow. There you can find:

• Skilled surgical oncologists
• Modern equipment for robotic surgeries
• Competitive prices for robotic cancer surgeries

Thus, you can get world-class treatment without having to travel to big Indian metropolises.

Myths Related to Robotic Surgery

Myth #1: It Is Not the Surgeon Who Does the Operation but the Robot
Fact: At all times, the surgeon controls every single move made during robotic surgery.

Myth #2: Robotic Surgery Is Experiment and Dangerous Procedure
Fact: Robotic surgery is recognized by FDA and used in various countries.

Myth #3: Robotic Surgery Can Be Conducted Only in Expensive Centers
Fact: Now in India, many centers offer this technique.

Things to Discuss with Your Oncologist Before the Surgery

• Is robotic surgery appropriate for my type of cancer?
• What is your experience with robotic surgeries?
• What are the risks associated with this kind of surgery in my case?
• What should I expect from the recovery period?

Final Conclusion on the Safety of Robotic Surgery

Overall, robotic surgery is a highly-advanced method that is both safe and highly effective. The main advantages of robotic surgery are as follows:

• Increased precision
• Faster recovery time
• Reduced pain
• Lower risks of complications

That being said, it is not always necessary to choose robotic surgery as it is more suitable for certain cancers and specific patients.