Robotic-assisted vs. open radical prostatectomy: A machine learning framework for intelligent analysis of patient-reported outcomes from online cancer support groups

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is being increasingly utilised in treatment of prostate cancer (CaP). In addition to the minimally invasive nature, some of the reported perioperative advantages of RARP include lower surgical margin rate for intermediate-risk disease and high-risk disease, lower blood loss, lower risk of blood transfusions, and shorter hospital stays [1 –7]. However, quality of life (QOL) in the longer term is more contentious. Clinical trials conducted in high volume centres depend on willing participants filling out questionnaires on a long-term basis in a ‘trial setting’ and thereby likely to be impacted by a variety of follow-up biases an d may not accurately capture ‘real-life’ issues experienced by patients.

Source: Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations - September 17, 2018 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Weranja Ranasinghe, Daswin de Silva, Tharindu Bandaragoda, Achini Adikari, Damminda Alahakoon, Raj Persad, Nathan Lawrentschuk, Damien Bolton Tags: Original article Source Type: research