Thousands of men set to be saved from erectile dysfunction - thanks to a groundbreaking operation
Thousands of men with prostate cancer are set to benefit from a pioneering surgical technique that slashes the risk of one of the most common and feared complications.The news comes after a major study published today in the Lancet, found that the technique slashed rates of erectile dysfunction for patients in half.The technique has already been rolled out at five NHS hospitals but surgeons now say that it should be made available for more men with a diagnosis. Unlike older methods the procedure—NueroSAFE—better preserves the nerves responsible for erections that run through the outer layers of the prostate.Experts say that the groundbreaking op is the first of its kind in being able fully remove prostate cancers and reduce complications.Professor Greg Shaw, the trial lead from University College London, said: 'This trial shows men do not have to face the life changing loss of erectile function. '[The technique] should now be used more widely across the NHS, so as many patients as possible can benefit.'The trial assessed 344 men over five UK hospitals. Twelve months after surgery, 39 per cent of men who had NeuroSAFE had no or mild erectile dysfunction. Twelve months after surgery, 39 per cent of men who had NeuroSAFE had no or mild erectile dysfunction. In those men who had standard surgery this was 23 per centIn those men who had standard surgery this was 23 per cent. NeuroSAFE also spared more men from urinary incontinence, another common complication. The pioneering difference between NueroSAFE and standard robotic surgery is that doctors are able to analyse each layer of the prostate gland during the procedure so they can leave any tissue that is not cancerous and keep the nerves intact.One of the patients that was part of the trial, Courtney Ming, said: 'Without this surgery I wouldn't be living the same quality of life as I am now, and my sex life would have been gone.'The 62 year-old from London was diagnosed with 'no symptoms, no pain, no waking up during the night, nothing,' he said.The father of two only got tested because his colleagues at work kept pressuring him to.'For me the priority was survival, so I did not think twice about having the surgery but I knew that there could be side effects. I feel incredibly fortunate to be alive and be able to still be able to enjoy life,' said Courtney.Prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease in men, with 52,000 new diagnoses every year. It occurs in the prostate gland, the walnut-sized organ which sits below the bladder and produces semen. The disease kills around 12,000 every year.
Around 8,000 have their prostate removed every year in the UK as a result of cancer, in a procedure known as a radical prostatectomy.During radical prostatectomy the surgeon's goal is to remove the outer layers of the prostate, without impacting the delicate nerves responsible for erections and urine control. The problem is that MRI scans can not accurately determine where the boundaries of the cancer is, so Professor Shaw says they 'often have to urge on the side of caution' and often remove unnecessary nerves causing the common side effects. Read More Incredibly common household medicine could be 'hidden' cause of erectile dysfunction, doctors warn NueroSAFE fixes that problem. Using the technique, the surgeon extracts the prostate gland while preserving the maximum amount of nerve tissue around it as possible. Layers of the prostate are then flash frozen and samples of it are examined by a pathologist while the operation is still underway and the patient is under general anaestheic.If cancer is found at the edges of the prostate, around where key nerves are situated, the surgeon can then remove additional tissue, sacrificing the nerves but achieving a complete removal of the tumour. If no cancer is found, the operation is complete and the nerves are left intact and allowing the patient to maintain sexual function. Experts say that advancements like this will help calls to introduce a new national screening programme for prostate cancer.'The balance is tipping to move towards a national screening and procedures like this that bring down the risk of harm after diagnosis are part of that,' says Professor Shaw.'As if I was screened I would want to know that there are effective treatments that can help me keep my day to day life and this is doing that.'WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER? How many people does it kill? More than 11,800 men a year - or one every 45 minutes - are killed by the disease in Britain, compared with about 11,400 women dying of breast cancer.It means prostate cancer is behind only lung and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain. In the US, the disease kills 26,000 men each year.Despite this, it receives less than half the research funding of breast cancer and treatments for the disease are trailing at least a decade behind.How many men are diagnosed annually?Every year, upwards of 52,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK - more than 140 every day. How quickly does it develop? Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs someone has it for many years, according to the NHS. If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, a policy of 'watchful waiting' or 'active surveillance' may be adopted. Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages.But if it is diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, then it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms.Thousands of men are put off seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects from treatment, including erectile dysfunction.Tests and treatmentTests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools only just beginning to emerge. There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate.Doctors struggle to distinguish between aggressive and less serious tumours, making it hard to decide on treatment.Men over 50 are eligible for a ‘PSA’ blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk.But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result are usually given a biopsy which is also not fool-proof. Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks. Anyone with any concerns can speak to Prostate Cancer UK's specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org
