The First in San Antonio for Robotics
At Baptist Health System we are proud to be the first health system in San Antonio to offer robotics as an exciting alternative to traditional “open” surgery for radical prostatectomy. Robotically assisted surgery - for the removal of the prostate gland - is conducted using the da Vinci® Surgical System. This surgery offers a less invasive alternative to traditional methods, allowing the patient to recover quicker and with measurably less pain.
St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital offers the ultimate state-of-the-art urology suite for physicians and their patients. The robotic equipment enables surgeons to set a new standard in South-Central Texas for the surgical treatment of prostate cancer.
The benefits of robotically assisted prostatectomy include just some of the following:
- A shorter hospital stay
- Less pain
- Less blood loss
- Less scarring
- Faster recovery
- Quicker return to normal activities
In San Antonio, robotically assisted prostatectomy is available at St. Luke's Baptist Hospital. Call your physician and find out your options for having this procedure, or call (210) 297-7005 for more information.
Find a physician trained in using this technique.
The Facts About Prostate Cancer
- The prostate is part of the male reproductive system.
- Its major function is to secrete a fluid to nourish semen during intercourse.
- The prostate is about the size of a walnut, but it can grow with age.
- It is located below the bladder, in front of the rectum surrounding the urethra (the canal for the discharge of urine that extends from the urinary bladder to the outside).
Prostate Cancer Statistics
- In the U.S., 16 percent or 1 man in 6 will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime.
- Every 2.6 minutes, a new case of prostate cancer is diagnosed.
- Annual prostate cancer deaths are estimated at 29,900 or 1 man in 30.
- Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among U.S. men (second to lung cancer).
- Prostate cancer is slow-growing in the majority of men who have it, and most men who have the disease will die with prostate cancer rather than from prostate cancer. In other words, most will die from other causes.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer can remain symptomless for years, and most cases of early prostate cancer cause no symptoms. Men should talk with their doctors if they have questions or are experiencing any symptoms that concern them, such as:
- Impotence
- Urinary frequency
- Slow urinary flow
- Painful urination
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Lower back or thigh pain