NIGERIA – The Reddington Hospital Group in Lagos, Nigeria has conducted the first Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy in Sub-Sharan Africa to treat prostate cancer which is a major milestone for the hospital.
Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, a consultant urological, robotic surgeon and clinical lead surgeon for Urology at GlanClwyd Hospital in the United Kingdom collaborated with the Reddington Hospital on the prostate cancer surgery which has raised the bar in quality, affordable healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
He said that the collaboration with Reddington Hospital will reduce medical tourism and capital flight as the hospital has advanced medical technology for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy which is cheaper than robotic surgery.
“Majority of Nigerian men have been my patients for the surgery that costs about US$39000 for one session of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in the United Kingdom without including flights costs and accommodation,” revealed Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme.
Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in Nigeria as most prostate cancers develop without men experiencing any symptoms in the early stages.
It occurs when some of the cells in the prostate reproduce more rapidly than normal resulting in a tumor that if left untreated, prostate cancer cells eventually spread from the prostate and invade distant parts of the body.
The main prostate cancer symptoms include blood in the urine or semen, bone pain, erectile dysfunction, weak urine flow and painful urination.
The Laparoscopic invasive operation removes the patient’s cancerous prostate gland and tissues surrounding it including the seminal vesicles and some nearby lymph nodes to alleviate pain and improving the patient’s quality of life.
Prof. Ekwueme said that Laparoscopic surgery differs from traditional open surgery by making five small incisions as opposed to a large one to perform the surgery that leads to less blood loss, less abdominal trauma, faster recovery rate and better cosmetic outcomes.
He added that the prostate cancer patient duly operated on at the Reddington Hospital would not lose his erection or have any erection problems and could function very well with his spouse.
Ekwueme disclosed that he had ongoing discussions with the Reddington Hospital to fully maximize the medical equipment and expertise in the hospital to establish a prostate cancer and diagnostic facility at the hospital.
He further advised men above 45 years of age to discuss the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with their healthcare team to know their Prostate-Specific Antigen level as early detection will ensure survival of the patient.
Liked this article? Sign up to receive our regular email newsletters, focused on Africa and World’s healthcare industry, directly into your inbox. SUBSCRIBE HERE
