Early diagnosis and accurate treatment are key when it comes to beating urologic cancers. Urologic cancers are cancers that begin in the bladder, kidneys, prostate, testicles or adrenal glands.
They are among the most diagnosed types of cancer in the United States. Symptoms vary according to the affected organs, but pelvic pain, blood in the urine, fever, pain while urinating and difficulty voiding urine are common.
Dr. Julien Dagenais, a highly experienced urologist at AdventHealth Medical Group Urology at AdventHealth Porter, utilizes the latest medical technology to perform minimally invasive urologic robotic surgery that’s safer for his patients and leads to quicker recovery times.
Advantages of Robotic Surgery
One of the highest-volume robotic surgeons in the Rocky Mountain area, Dr. Dagenais leverages the renowned da Vinci® robotic surgical system in his treatment of patients.
Robotic surgery provides significant benefits, including:
- Enhanced agility and precision
- Smaller incisions lead to less pain, lower infection risk and quicker recovery times
- Surgeon-controlled camera for 3D views
Noting the continual advancements in the field, Dr. Dagenais calls the evolution of robotic technology over the past 15 to 20 years nothing short of revolutionary. “It’s remarkable to see patients who were previously hospitalized for days walk out of the hospital the next day,” he says. “We now have instruments that are more precise than our own fingers and cameras that provide 10 times the magnification and better visuals than our own eyes. This gives us a significant technical advantage, leading to better outcomes for our patients.”
A Pioneer in the Region
Dr. Dagenais is a leading robotic surgeon in the field, having performed the first robotic radical nephrectomy with level II inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombectomy in Colorado. “This is as complicated a situation as we get in urology,” he says.
The groundbreaking procedure involves removing cancer from both the kidney and the vena cava. Typically, the surgery is done via a large open incision, but Dr. Dagenais offers the robotic approach for appropriate patients, the only chance for a cure for those with this type of cancer.
Additionally, Dr. Dagenais is one of only two surgeons in Colorado who performs entirely robotic radical cystectomy surgery. This procedure is vital for patients with non-functioning bladders and lifesaving for patients with bladder cancer. “Patients needing this complex surgery are often elderly, chronic smokers. I’ve found that patients who would normally experience a long recovery from open surgery and a possible nursing home stay don’t have that experience with robotic surgery,” he explains.
Innovations for Testicular Cancer Patients
Dr. Dagenais also pioneered the use of robotic surgery for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in testicular cancer patients, both pre-and post-chemotherapy. Traditionally requiring a large incision, the da Vinci® robot allows Dr. Dagenais to perform the procedure through smaller incisions. The outcome is faster recovery times for younger patients.
Enhancing Quality of Life
Dr. Dagenais believes that the field of urology offers unique opportunities to enhance both the quality of life and longevity of his patients. “It matters to me that I can improve my patients' daily lives. That’s why I do what I do,” he says.
Dr. Dagenais received advanced training at high-volume surgical centers at Harvard Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic. He’s able to take surgeries that have previously been done “open” and do the same surgery robotically with the help of his exceptional surgical team. “I’ve devoted my career to providing minimally invasive surgical solutions for patients with complex diagnoses,” says Dr. Dagenais.
A Great Team
Dr. Dagenais credits much of his success to his exceptional surgical team. “There are many people involved in surgery beyond just the surgeon. My team is prepared for any situation, and my confidence in them makes me a better surgeon,” he shares.
At the core of Dr. Dagenais’s practice is his belief in the human element of medicine. “These are challenging situations for patients. Ultimately, if I can help them get through it and end up in a better place, I’ve done my job.”
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