Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men. There are an estimated 248,530 cases diagnosed in the United States and over 1.2 million worldwide every year.

The most common treatment options for prostate cancer are surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and cryotherapy. Among these treatment options, surgery remains the most effective treatment for localized prostate cancer.

Surgery for Prostate Cancer

The traditional surgery for prostate cancer is called a radical prostatectomy. The surgeon removes the entire prostate gland and some surrounding tissues. However, this procedure can cause serious complications such as impotence and incontinence.

In order to minimize these risks, new surgical techniques have been developed. One of these techniques is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Advances in TURP

TURP is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves the removal of part or all of the prostate gland through the penis using an instrument called a resectoscope.

The resectoscope has a thin, lighted tube with a camera and an electrical loop that cuts and coagulates the tissue. TURP has been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland, but it is less effective for treating prostate cancer.

Recently, there have been advances in TURP that have led to the development of innovative techniques such as transurethral resection in saline (TURIS).

This new procedure uses saline solution instead of traditional irrigation fluids such as glycine or sorbitol. TURIS was developed to address the limitations of TURP, such as the risk of fluid absorption, electrolyte imbalance, and the potential for thermal injury to surrounding tissues.

How TURIS Works

TURIS involves the insertion of a resectoscope into the urethra and the removal of the prostate gland using a saline solution. The saline solution is heated to a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, which is the body’s normal temperature.

The heated saline solution is used to create an electrolyte solution that is similar to the fluid in the prostate gland. This allows the surgeon to remove the prostate gland more precisely and with less risk of thermal injury to surrounding tissues.

Benefits of TURIS

The use of saline solution in TURIS has several benefits over the traditional TURP procedure. Some of the benefits of TURIS include:.

Minimizing the risk of fluid absorption
Reducing the risk of electrolyte imbalances
Minimizing the risk of thermal injury to surrounding tissues
Improving the visualization of the surgical site
Reducing the duration of the surgical procedure
Reducing the length of hospital stay
Reducing the need for blood transfusions
Minimizing the risk of infection
Minimizing the risk of impotence and incontinence

Clinical Studies

Clinical studies have shown that TURIS is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with prostate cancer.

A study conducted by the Department of Urology at the University of Campinas in Brazil found that TURIS had a success rate of 91% and a complication rate of less than 2%. Another study conducted by the Department of Urology at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California found that TURIS had a similar success rate to traditional TURP but with fewer complications.

Conclusion

TURIS is an innovative technique for prostate removal that offers several benefits over the traditional TURP procedure. TURIS minimizes the risks associated with fluid absorption, electrolyte imbalances, and thermal injury to surrounding tissues.

TURIS also improves the visualization of the surgical site, reduces the duration of the surgical procedure, and reduces the length of hospital stay. Clinical studies have shown that TURIS is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with prostate cancer.