Hundreds of prostate cancer survivors gathered at the Meadowlands Sheraton, in East Rutherford, New Jersey on November 7th to thank the doctors and “meet” the robot who made their survival a reality. Robotic Prostatectomy has fast become a popular choice for many prostate cancer patients and Doctors Vincent J. Lanteri , Michael P. Esposito, Mutuhar Ahmed and Gregory Lovallo of New Jersey Center for Prostate Cancer (NJCPC&U) have pioneered this procedure in New Jersey with the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. The event celebrated their 2000th successful procedure, the most in the state.

In addition to sharing their personal experiences, each survivor and others in attendance had the opportunity to meet and “test drive” the robot that helped to save their life.

Not only have the doctors performed 2000 laparoscopic robotic surgeries, they are also teaching one of the few courses offered in the U.S. and have published the first textbook on the subject so that other surgeons can provide the benefits to their patients.

Nearly 200,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually in the U.S. In 2005 M.D. News predicted that the robotic approach would be the future of prostate cancer surgery and this has proven to be true for many reasons. In general, risks and complications are reduced, recoveries are easier and shorter, and results are better.  For instance, long term incontinence and impotence are much less likely, there is less pain and risk of infection, the procedure is considered “bloodless” and the return to normal activity is much quicker. 

Michael Yosko of Garfield, NJ, was NJCPC&U’s first robotic prostatectomy patient at Hackensack Medical Center back in 2002.  He recalls being stunned by the cancer diagnosis. “My primary care doctor referred me to Dr. Lanteri and when he confirmed I had two tumors, my first thought was, ‘you’re kidding’ but my second thought was, ‘my father had it too.’” Yosko has completely recuperated and is living cancer-free. “I expected to be in the hospital 4 or 5 days but was home in 48 hours. I had little pain.” He chuckled, “I actually enjoyed the short recovery time, like a little vacation.”