One of the nation's top robotic surgeons will remove the cancerous prostate of a Southern Tier man during a live demonstration of robotic surgery on Wednesday, March 19.
University of Rochester Medical Center surgeon Jean Joseph, M.D., was selected to showcase the procedure, because of his expertise, during the World Robotic Urology Symposium in Florida.
Joseph will demonstrate via the Internet one of the most advanced surgical procedures to treat prostate cancer, a robotic radical prostatectomy. He is head of the section of laparoscopic and robotic urologic surgery at the Medical Center and James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. Joseph is one of 11 robotic surgeons selected to perform a live demonstration during the symposium, where more than 500 physicians from around the world will gather to study and advance the field of robotic surgery.
Eric McEnroe, 58, is unfazed by having hundreds of specialists watching his life-saving cancer surgery. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December, after a routine screening by his Wellsville physician, Joseph Felson, M.D.
After discussions with urologist Gurumurthaiah V. Nagabhushana, M.D., McEnroe chose the minimally invasive surgery that Joseph has perfected. The long-time state transportation department worker was impressed with Joseph's track record of nearly 1,500 procedures and endeared by the staff.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate contains cells that make seminal fluid, which nourishes and protects sperm. Each year, more than 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 30,000 men die from the disease. Although prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among American men, it is nearly always curable if it's caught early.
Leaders in Robotic Surgery
Joseph has been using the daVinci Robotic Surgical System since 2003 and performs as many as 10 robotic surgeries per week at Strong Memorial Hospital.