Prostate cancer patients who undergo surgery performed by experienced doctors have fewer negative side effects, such as post-operative incontinence and erectile dysfunction, new research shows.

The study, conducted by the University of California-Los Angeles, found patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgery do best with doctors who have performed at least 1,000 procedures.

The study, published in the journal European Urology, indicated skilled and experienced surgeons are most likely to perform nerve-sparing surgical techniques that can significantly lessen the likelihood of negative side effects.
"It would be helpful for men who seek a surgical cure for their prostate cancer to appreciate the nuances required by a surgeon to successfully protect erectile function," said lead researcher Dr. Jim Hu. "Like improving a golf swing, a technique for nerve-sparing surgery has many subtleties that are influenced by training, talent, a desire to improve, and meticulous review of technique and outcomes."
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the U.S., and radical prostatectomy -- the surgical removal of the prostate gland – is performed in about half of all patients.