Partial prostatectomy, the minimally invasive technique that could help patients with prostate cancer

As part of National Men's Health Month, experts issued an urgent call for early detection of prostate cancer, the most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of death from malignant tumors in men in Colombia , according to data from the National Cancer Observatory and the National Cancer Institute.

This type of cancer—often silent in its early stages—can progress aggressively if not detected early. In Colombia, approximately 8,872 new cases are reported each year and nearly 2,400 deaths. The adjusted incidence rate is 46.5 per 100,000 men, and the mortality rate is 11.8 per 100,000, according to official figures from the Ministry of Health and Globocan.

Faced with this problem, Cleveland Clinic, one of the world's leading medical centers, developed the Single-Port Transvesical Partial Prostatectomy (SP-TVRAPP). This minimally invasive robotic procedure allows for the removal of only the cancerous tissue, preserving the rest of the prostate gland. The technique was recently presented by Dr. Jihad Kaouk and Dr. Adriana Pedraza at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association.

“This procedure represents a significant advance for men seeking an effective solution with fewer side effects,” explained Dr. Jihad Kaouk, a robotic surgery specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. “We aim to attack the cancer without sacrificing the patient's quality of life.”

Data from the study involving 26 patients demonstrated encouraging functional results: nearly 90% recovered urinary continence within six weeks, and more than 70% recovered erectile function at the same time, figures that improve over time. Furthermore, 80.8% of cases achieved negative surgical margins, ensuring complete tumor removal without metastatic disease.

The SP-TVRAPP technique marks a turning point in the treatment of prostate cancer by offering an intermediate option between the two traditional approaches: radical prostatectomy, which involves the complete removal of the prostate and can cause significant side effects, and active surveillance, which involves monitoring the tumor without immediate intervention.

This innovative surgical alternative, according to experts, allows localized cancer to be treated with high precision, minimizing functional impact and preserving the patient's quality of life.

In Colombia, late detection continues to be an obstacle to accessing cutting-edge treatments. This week, specialists recommend:

Environment and Health Journalist