For Immediate Release
February 24, 2009

BUFFALO, NY – Bladder cancer patients treated with state-of-the-art robot-assisted surgery at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) report that their quality of life returned to normal within six months, according to a study conducted by Khurshid A. Guru, MD, Director of Robotic Surgery at RPCI, and published in the current issue of the British Journal of Urology International.

Pioneered at Roswell Park, robot-assisted cystectomy (removal of the bladder) provides patients with a less-invasive treatment option that has several potential advantages over traditional open surgery, including less post-operative pain and fewer days in the hospital. This prospective study is the first to examine the quality of life benefits of this surgical technique.

“Patients have indicated that the overall quality of their life after cancer surgery is as important as how long they survive,” said Dr. Guru. “This study helps us to understand the patient’s physical, social, emotional and functional well-being after surgery.”

Quality of life was examined using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy questionnaire with 34 patients who underwent robot-assisted surgery between January 2006 and December 2007. Patients were monitored according to National Comprehensive Cancer Center guidelines. The average age of the patients was 65 years, and 88% were men. Of all patients, 13% received chemotherapy after surgery. Quality-of-life issues were assessed at 1-, 3- and 6-month intervals.

The study found that physical well-being decreased significantly in the first follow-up visit due to the immediate impact of surgery. However, six months later, patients reported their physical activities were comparable with their activities prior to surgery. Emotional scores were statistically higher after surgery indicating that feelings of sadness and anxiety appeared to be alleviated by the minimally invasive surgery and rapid post-recovery. Scores for social and family support remained uniformly high.

Dr. Guru added, “Robot-assisted surgery continues to demonstrate its efficacy as a treatment for bladder cancer patients and has now shown its value to patients as they return to life after cancer.”

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center. The Institute was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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