When robotic surgery first arrived in urology, many surgeons were sceptical. The technology looked impressive, but the question was whether it genuinely helped patients. Professor Prokar Dasgupta did not simply adopt robotic surgery for prostate cancer; he questioned it, refined it and helped build the evidence for its value. That combination of early vision and scientific discipline has shaped how many men are treated today.
Why robotic surgery for prostate cancer matters
Robotic surgery does not replace the surgeon with a machine. Instead, it gives an experienced surgeon better tools: a magnified three-dimensional view, instruments that move with more freedom than the human wrist, and access through small incisions. For patients, these features can mean less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return of continence and sexual function.
However, those benefits depend on the surgeon mastering the technology. Professor Dasgupta was among the early UK urologists to argue that robotic surgery needed dedicated training, standardised technique and honest measurement of results. Today, robotic prostatectomy is a widely used treatment for localised prostate cancer, supported by a growing body of evidence.
A career built on research
Professor Dasgupta was the first Professor of Robotic Surgery at King's College London. He has published more than 800 peer-reviewed papers and, until 2020, spent nearly a decade as Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Urology International. In 2005 he was part of the team that used robotic surgery to remove a kidney for transplantation. His wider achievements and publications show the breadth of this work.
Much of his research addresses the questions patients ask most often. How experienced should my surgeon be? What will recovery look like? Will treatment protect my quality of life? Studies on surgical learning curves, for example, help explain why experience matters, a theme covered further in why surgeon experience matters.
Protecting function in robotic surgery for prostate cancer
One important focus has been nerve-sparing technique. The nerves that control erections run very close to the prostate, so preserving them while removing the cancer completely requires skill and careful judgement. Robotic surgery for prostate cancer makes this delicate work more precise, although the decision always depends on the cancer itself.
Professor Dasgupta's team has also worked on refined approaches to nerve preservation and recovery of continence. These advances matter because many men worry as much about life after treatment as about the cancer.
Training the next generation
Leading surgeons share their expertise. Professor Dasgupta has trained urologists in the UK and internationally through mentorship, workshops and live surgery demonstrations. As a result, his influence reaches far beyond the patients he treats himself.
Simulation now plays a major part in surgical education, allowing trainees to build skills safely before operating on patients. The Royal College of Surgeons of England recognises the value of structured training, and urology has been at the forefront of robotic simulation.
What this means for patients
Experience with robotic technology is important, yet it is only part of good care. Patients should also expect personalised treatment planning, an honest discussion of risks and benefits, and access to every suitable option. Not everyone needs surgery, and active surveillance or radiotherapy may be the better choice for some men, as set out in the NHS overview of prostate cancer treatment.
When surgery is recommended, it is reasonable to ask whether nerve-sparing is likely to be possible, how many similar procedures your surgeon has performed and what results you can realistically expect. A good surgeon will welcome those questions.
Looking ahead
Robotic surgery for prostate cancer continues to evolve. Newer platforms, better imaging and telesurgery are all being studied, and Professor Dasgupta remains closely involved in evaluating them. Advances in MRI also allow more precise planning, and research into biomarkers may help match treatment more closely to each tumour.
Throughout, the aim stays the same: to adopt new technology only when it genuinely improves outcomes for patients. If you would like to discuss your treatment options, you can book a consultation with Professor Dasgupta.