A NEW diagnostic procedure for prostate cancer is now being performed at the Alexandra Hospital.
The Urology Department at the Alex are now able to perform Local Anaesthetic Transperineal Prostate (LATP) biopsies following an extensive staff training programme.
The LATP technique has been shown to offer more accurate detection of prostate cancer – which is the most common form of cancer in men – as well as improved safety by significantly reducing the risk of infection for patients.
The Urology team underwent extensive training on the new technique in collaboration with Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals in London and the West Midlands Cancer Alliance. The department has also recruited a new Urology Consultant to the team, Mr Will Gallagher, who has previous experience with LATP.
The new diagnostic procedure is in addition to the work currently taking place at Alexandra Hospital to allow for state-of-the-art robotic surgery to take place.
Once the work is complete, the first procedure to be offered will be robot-assisted prostate surgery for men with prostate cancer.
Consultant Urological surgeon, Mr Paul Rajjayabun said: “This new addition to our diagnostic portfolio will ensure that we maintain our position as one of the leading centres in the UK for the diagnosis and management of Urological disease.
“Developing new services through the challenges of the Covid pandemic has meant that we had to re-double our efforts to make LATP available for our patients.
“But with the implementation of this revolutionary biopsy technique and the imminent arrival of Robotic Assisted Prostatectomy at the Alexandra Hospital, we are in a position to offer state-of-the-art ‘end-to-end’ care for men with prostate cancer.”
