Traditional open surgery may not be the best option for some type of cancers. Specially trained surgeons use robotic technology, including tiny surgical tools and a computer console, to remove a patient’s cancer and offer treatment.
Robotic surgery is usually laparoscopic. During surgery, the surgeon places a thin tool with a light and tiny camera called a laparoscope through small cuts in the patient’s skin. The laparoscope sends images back to a video monitor so the surgeon can see inside without having to make larger cuts.
Robotic surgery is also known as robot-assisted surgery. The robot-assisted and 3-D imaging technology allows surgeons to perform complex surgeries with more precision than conventional techniques.
In general, surgeons have two main goals when they perform cancer surgery:
Fighting the patient’s cancer in the most effective way possible.
Making the patient’s recovery as fast and smooth as possible.
A patient’s type and stage of cancers, as well as their prognosis, also help establish goals for the surgery.
Depending on your exact situation, possible goals for surgery could be:
Curing the cancer by completely removing the tumor or infected cells.
Reducing (debulking) the tumor’s size to prepare for chemotherapy or other treatment.
Relieving symptoms like pain or loss of function.
Usually the surgeon will determine whether robotic surgery is possible for your particular cancer. If so, your surgeon may recommend robotic surgery over other procedure of surgery.
Your surgeon will design a surgical treatment plan that’s best for you. Expect your doctor to explain the treatment plan fully and answer all your questions.
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