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Cancer surgeons perform advanced procedures using robot
By Barbara LiPira, director, Novant Health Cancer Center
Forget science-fiction movies; robotic surgery is available today, and many Novant Health physicians are leading the way with this treatment innovation. With benefits such as smaller incisions, decreased blood loss, increased surgical precision and quicker recoveries, robotic surgery using the da Vinci surgical system offers many perks for cancer patients eligible for the growing list of procedures.
When robotic surgery first launched several years ago, its clinical focus was on gynecologic and prostate cancer. Our gynecologic oncologists and urologists, with the support of Novant Health, were at the forefront of this technology and have since become leaders in their field, performing more robotic procedures than almost anyone in the Southeast.
Within the past year, other specialties have begun to consider robotic surgery as a promising treatment option for tumors in hard-to-reach or delicate areas. For example, Charlotte’s first transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for head and neck cancer was performed at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center just a few months ago. This means the patient was able to avoid side effects like difficulty eating, speaking and swallowing that often occur in traditional open procedures.
Additionally, lung cancer patients have benefited from less invasive biopsies, sparing them long incisions and a painful recovery, and colorectal cancer patients have been able to return to their normal diet more quickly when a minimally invasive robotic surgery technique is used.
Another new da Vinci technology called Firefly Fluorescence Imaging is shedding light on robotic cancer surgeries. With the flip of a switch, the surgical site becomes enlightened, making it easy to differentiate cancerous tissue from healthy tissue. This ultimately translates into more precise removal of tumors and better outcomes. Our Novant Health cancer surgeons are some of the few in the state using this leading-edge technology.
Whether it’s robotic surgery, clinical trials or new survivorship programs, we’re both excited and committed to bring you the latest in cancer care. To find out more about what’s going on in our cancer center, follow our Facebook page.
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