The Future of Prostate Cancer Treatment

Over the last 120 years, prostate cancer surgery has changed considerably from open perineal prostatectomy to modern robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. New surgical techniques for improving functional outcomes have also been developed, including various nerve-sparing methods, the posterior (Retzius-sparing) approach, and subtotal precision prostatectomy. Future developments including personalized medicine, immunotherapy, focal therapy, and endoradiotherapy may expand or contract the present surgical paradigm, but if the past 120 years have taught anything, it is that change is certain. Urologists will again be the leaders in this change as they focus on treating the disease of prostate cancer, not only performing surgery.