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Do urologists have any specific criteria for selecting suitable candidates for robotic prostatectomies based on age and/or co-morbidities? My understanding is that the 10 year survival rate for patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer undergoing robotic prostatectomies are very high (greater than 95%). However, I wasn't sure if the patients who presented for these surgeries were already pre screened and were healthier and/or younger than the overall population of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. If a patient is > 75 y.o., for example, would they still be considered a candidate for a robotic prostatectomy or would they be referred for radiation therapy or observation/serial biopsies? If they are referred for surgery, would the risks of surgery (anesthesia, post op complications, etc.) be considered greater than the risks of the untreated cancer?
I apologize in advance if this topic has already been covered or if this not the appropriate forum for this question.
I apologize in advance if this topic has already been covered or if this not the appropriate forum for this question.