Prostate Cancer Treatment Options: Robotic Surgery, Radiation, and Beyond
By Dr. Anup Ramani
Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men—but it is also one of the most treatable when detected early. With India’s advancements in robotic prostatectomy, precision radiation therapy, and customized treatment plans, patients now have access to globally competitive prostate cancer care. This article breaks down the major treatment options, helping patients and families make informed decisions through medically guided questions.
What are the main treatment options for prostate cancer in India today?
The primary treatment routes include:
- Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy
- Radiation therapy (External Beam Radiation Therapy or Brachytherapy)
- Hormone therapy
- Active surveillance
- Chemotherapy, and
- Immunotherapy (in advanced stages)
India’s top hospitals now offer multi-disciplinary prostate cancer treatment teams, combining these approaches to suit individual patient profiles.
What is robotic radical prostatectomy and how does it benefit patients?
Robotic surgery uses the da Vinci Surgical System to remove the prostate with precision. Benefits include:
- Smaller incisions
- Less blood loss
- Quicker recovery
- Lower risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction
Robotic prostatectomy in India is now widely available in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore at a fraction of global costs, performed by highly trained urologic oncologists.
Who is a good candidate for robotic surgery?
Patients with localized prostate cancer (confined to the prostate gland) are ideal candidates. Those with:
- Good overall health
- PSA levels below a certain threshold
- MRI/biopsy-confirmed localized disease
can consider robotic radical prostatectomy in India as a curative option.
What Our Patients Are Saying
"I went to Dr. Ramani for my dad's prostrate issues. Can not thank him enough for the care he took. He knows how to deal with patients (specially parents), talks to them, explains them and best of all gives them the best treatment. Was super impressed to know how much time he had spent at Cleveland Clinic in US (shows in his treatment). Very very happy with the follow ups too.
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How effective is radiation therapy as a standalone treatment?
Radiation therapy is highly effective for localized or locally advanced cancer. It’s non-invasive and can be used:
- As an alternative to surgery
- In combination with hormone therapy
- Post-surgery if cancer cells are suspected to remain
Indian oncology centers now offer image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for more precision and fewer side effects.
When is active surveillance a safe option?
Men with:
- Low PSA levels
- Slow-growing tumors
- No symptoms may choose active surveillance. This involves regular PSA testing, MRI scans, and biopsies. Many Indian specialists support this approach to avoid overtreatment in low-risk patients.
What role does hormone therapy play in prostate cancer treatment?
Also known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), this reduces testosterone—the fuel for prostate cancer cells. It’s often used:
- Alongside radiation therapy
- In advanced/metastatic cases
Leading Indian hospitals use long-acting hormone injections and newer oral agents to suppress cancer progression effectively.
Is chemotherapy used for prostate cancer, and when?
Chemotherapy is generally reserved for:
- Metastatic prostate cancer
- Cases resistant to hormone therapy
Are there advanced treatments like immunotherapy or targeted therapy available in India?
Yes. Select patients, especially those with:
- Genetic mutations (e.g., BRCA1/2)
- High microsatellite instability (MSI)
can benefit from targeted drugs or immunotherapy agents like Pembrolizumab. Indian oncology labs now offer genomic profiling to match patients with emerging treatment modalities.
How do Indian hospitals ensure post-treatment quality of life?
Post-treatment care in India includes:
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy
- Erectile dysfunction treatment
- Diet and lifestyle support
- PSA monitoring
Specialized centers also offer urinary continence recovery programs post-surgery and emotional counseling for patients and caregivers.
How do I choose the best treatment plan for my stage of prostate cancer?
Decision-making depends on:
- PSA level and velocity
- Gleason score
- Tumor stage (localized vs. metastatic)
- Age and overall health
It’s best to consult India’s leading prostate cancer specialists who provide evidence-based, customized treatment strategies. Some centers also offer tumor board reviews for second opinions.
Conclusion
Prostate cancer treatment has come a long way—from conventional surgery to robotic-assisted precision care and targeted therapies. Today, India offers advanced, affordable prostate cancer treatment, combining clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology. Whether you’re considering robotic prostatectomy in Mumbai, radiation therapy, or custom hormonal therapy, Indian healthcare is ready to support every step of your cancer journey with empathy and excellence.
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PARTIAL PENECTOMY
- Partial penectomy is done in cases where glans and distal penis is involved with carcinoma.
- Partial penectomy is a type of organ-preserving surgery. Preservation of sexual and micturational function depends on the surgical dissection and reconstruction of residual urethra.
Kidney Stone Removal
- Patients who develop stones in the kidney or ureter, often experience severe pain.
- This condition usually needs a procedure to remove the kidney stones.
- This procedure is called ureteroscopy and is performed very commonly.
- It does not require any cuts and hence it is painless.
- The procedure is performed with an endoscope inserted through the penis under spinal anesthesia.
- The scope is inserted through the penis into the kidney and stones are dissolved with a laser.
- The procedure takes about 40-50 minutes.
- A catheter (urine pipe) is kept after the procedure to drain the bladder. A stent is kept in the kidney at the same time.
- Patient is mobile and walking in the room the same evening.
- Hospital stay is one night and patient is discharged the next day after removal of the catheter.
- Patient has to come back after six weeks to remove the stent in the kidney.
- Patients can resume office a week after surgery and heavy activities like running, weight lifting, a month after the procedure.
- We offer fixed packages for this procedure which can be obtained by calling our helpline +91 9967666060.
- Men with an enlarged prostate, which is a normal ageing changes, often experiencing difficulty passing urine. This condition usually needs a procedure to trim the prostate and relieve the blockage.
- This procedure is called TURP and is performed very commonly.
- It does not require any cuts and hence it is painless.
- The procedure is performed with an endoscope inserted through the penis under spinal anaesthesia.
- The overgrown prostate is dissolved with a laser bloodlessly.
- The procedure takes about 40 minutes.
- A catheter (urine pipe) is kept after the procedure to drain the bladder.
- Patient is mobile and walking in the room the same evening.
- Hospital stay is two nights and patient is discharged with the catheter, which is removed after 4 days.
- Patients can resume office a week after surgery and heavy activities like running, weight lifting, a month after the procedure.
- We offer fixed packages for this procedure which can be obtained by calling our helpline +91 9967666060.
ROBOTIC ADRENALECTOMY FOR ADRENAL GLAND TUMOUR
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Robotic adrenalectomy is a sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications.
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Once the anesthesia is done, and patient positioned, three micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
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The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
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Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
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On an average, a robotic adrenalectomy takes one hour.
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The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
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A urine catheter and bag to drain the bladder is inserted during surgery.
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A tiny drain pipe may be inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
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Patient is kept nil-by-mouth the day of the surgery, with IV fluids. Sips of water are started the next day and solid food by day three.
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The drain pipe, if kept, is removed in the room on day 2 after surgery.
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The catheter is removed on day two after surgery.
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Total hospital stay for robotic adrenalectomy is 4 nights (including night before surgery).
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Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
On the day of discharge, patient is totally self-sufficient. They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home. Almost all patients are back to work within 2 weeks of surgery.
Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after a month
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
Follow up after an adrenalectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consultation.
ROBOTIC SURGERY FOR BLADDER CANCER
- Dr. Ramani is one of the very few surgeons in India who has the expertise to perform a robotic surgery for bladder cancer, which includes removing the urinary bladder and reconstructing a new bladder robotically.
- Robotic radical cystectomy is an extremely sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications.
- Once the anaesthesia is done, and patient positioned, six micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
- The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
- Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
- On an average, a robotic radical cystectomy with an ileal conduit takes 3-4 hours.
- The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
- A urine catheter and bag to drain the new bladder is inserted during surgery.
- Two tiny drain pipe in inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
- Patient is kept nil-by-mouth for 4 days after surgery with IV supplementation of patient’s daily requirements of calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins and electrolytes.
- The drain pipes are removed in the room on day 3-5 after surgery.
- Total hospital stay for radical cystectomy is 8 nights (including night before surgery).
- Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
- On the day of discharge, patient is totally self-sufficient. They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home.
- Almost all patients are back to work within 6 weeks of surgery. Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after two months.
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
Follow up after a radical a cystectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
Histopathology report: Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.
Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consult. Depending on the report, patient may or may not need chemotherapy after surgery.
If chemo is needed, patients may choose to get it done with a medical oncologist of their choice or avail the services of one of the four medical oncologists on our team.
ROBOTIC RADICAL/PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY FOR KIDNEY CANCER
- Robotic partial nephrectomy is a sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications. Robotic radical (total) nephrectomy is
- relatively easier but still requires significant experience to consistently deliver results.
- Once the anaesthesia is done, and patient positioned, five micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
- The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
- Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
- On an average, a robotic radical nephrectomy takes one hour and a robotic partial nephrectomy takes about an hour and half.
- The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
- A urine catheter and bag to drain the bladder is inserted during surgery.
- A tiny drain pipe in inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
- Patient is kept nil-by-mouth the day of the surgery, with IV fluids. Sips of water are started the next day and solid food by day three.
- The drain pipe is removed in the room on day 3 after surgery. The catheter is removed on day two after surgery.
- Total hospital stay for radical/partial nephrectomy is 4 nights (including night before surgery).
- Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
- On the day of discharge, patient is totally self- sufficient.
- They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home.
- Almost all patients are back to work within 2-3 weeks of surgery.
- Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after a month.
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
- Follow up after a radical/partial Nephrectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
- Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.
- Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consultation.