Prostate Surgery

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after cutaneous malignancies and continues to be a deadly disease with approximately 40,000 deaths per year in the United States.  It is not always an indolent disease as the misconception has it.

With the advent of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests, more cancers are diagnosed at an earlier stage. Correspondingly, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has reported a decrease in the prostate cancer death rate this year.  ACS estimates that 75% of newly diagnosed prostate cancers are not metastatic.  Men are presenting with lower PSAs, normal rectal examinations and lower or more intermediate cancer grades than in previous years.  This stage migration and the earlier age at diagnosis positions surgery to remove the prostate as an attractive option for men with localized prostate cancer.

Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

The Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy Program was initiated under the direction of Dr. Ghavamian, director of the Genitourinary Oncology Program and the Prostate Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic at Montefiore Medical Center last year.  This minimally invasive methodology is the same operation without an incision.  Patients experience significantly less pain and blood loss utilizing this approach.   These patients have faster recovery times and return to work sooner. Dr. Ghavamian is one of the few doctors who offer this ground-breaking technique in the metropolitan area.

Locally and nationally, Montefiore is one of the only centers to offer this high-tech approach for the removal of the prostate gland. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is routinely recommended to appropriate patients with localized prostate cancer at Montefiore Medical Center.

Reza Ghavamian MD
Director, Genitourinary Oncology Program and Prostate Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic
(718) 920-8475