Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, now offers robotic aquablation therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous condition in men which leads to urinary issues such as weak stream, frequently getting up at night to use the bathroom and urinary incontinence. The procedure uses waterjets guided by the AquaBeam Robotic System to remove prostate tissue.
Through special software, surgeons develop and map a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient’s anatomy. Surgeons control the heat-free waterjet robotically, which ensures targeted, precise removal of prostate tissue and avoids critical structures to preserve sexual function and continence.
The hospital is one of only a few hospitals in New Jersey and the only one in the RWJBarnabas Health system to offer this therapy.
“As we kick off Men’s Health Month, we are proud to extend our commitment to the health of men in our community by investing in this new robotic technology which offers an effective solution to a common problem facing men over 50,” said Patrick Delaney, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Somerset.
Half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 have been diagnosed with BPH. The incidence increases every decade of life. If left untreated, BPH can cause serious health problems, including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence.
“About 40 million men in the United States have BPH which can cause frequent urination and difficulty urinating, significantly impacting their quality of life,” said Neel Shah, MD, a urologist with RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group who is chief of urology surgery at RWJUH Somerset. “However, most men suffer in silence because of concerns about potential side effects from prostate surgery, such as incontinence or impotence. Aquablation therapy gives men with enlarged prostates long-lasting symptom relief with an extremely low risk of complications and side effects.”
RWJUH Somerset also offers robotic surgery for the treatment of prostate cancer. In addition, its Steeplechase Cancer Center together with Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, offers comprehensive prostate cancer services, including radiation therapy, medical oncology, clinical trials, a nurse patient navigator and nutritional counseling. The hospital’s rehabilitation services include pelvic floor therapy for individuals undergoing prostate cancer treatment.
For more information about men’s health services at RWJUH Somerset, visit www.rwjbh.org/somerset. For a physician referral, call 888-724-7123.