Pelvic fascia-sparing radical prostatectomy: a better-path to fewer side effects
Official title: Pelvic fascia spARing radical prostatectomy TrIAL (PARTIAL)
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11390967 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large research project tests a new surgical approach for prostate cancer that may reduce urinary leakage and erectile problems after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 4, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $638,257 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA259173-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11390967 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Men with localized prostate cancer who are candidates for radical prostatectomy and eligible for the pelvic fascia-sparing technique.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not suitable for pelvic fascia-sparing approaches or with advanced disease may not benefit.
What this research studies
This study compares a pelvic fascia-sparing radical prostatectomy to the standard procedure in men with localized prostate cancer. It uses two innovative methods to ensure reliable results despite challenges in surgical trials. The team plans careful follow-up to track long-term outcomes like urinary continence, erectile function, and cancer control across multiple centers. The goal is to determine if preserving penile nerves and supportive tissues during surgery can improve quality of life without compromising cancer treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have better urinary and sexual function after surgery without losing effective cancer control.
How similar studies have gone: Prior smaller studies suggested benefits, but larger, longer follow-up is needed to confirm effects.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Jim — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Hu, Jim
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New Diaphragm-like implant to prevent urinary leakage after prostate cancer surgery
A resorbable implant placed at the time of prostate cancer surgery helps men regain bladder control faster and reduces the need for pads or secondary procedures.
-
Preserving Erectile Function during Robotic Prostate Surgery by Measuring Nerve-Sparing Technique
Aims to create an objective way to measure how well surgeons perform the nerve-sparing part of robot-assisted prostate cancer surgery to help patients keep erectile function.
-
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This project develops cameras and safe fluorescent dyes to show prostate cancer margins and nearby nerves in real time during prostate removal surgery for men with prostate cancer.
-
PSMA-PET imaging to guide prostate removal and protect nerves
This will see if a PSMA-PET scan using the 68Ga-P16-093 tracer can help surgeons choose nerve- and muscle-sparing surgery versus wider removal for men having prostatectomy for prostate cancer.
-
Pelvic fascia-sparing prostate surgery
This research compares a pelvic fascia-sparing prostate removal to standard prostate surgery to try to lower long-term urinary and sexual side effects for men with localized prostate cancer.
-
Using yoga to help veterans with prostate cancer manage side effects after surgery
This study is looking at how a special yoga program can help veterans who have had prostate cancer surgery feel better by easing issues like erectile dysfunction and urinary problems, and it’s designed to support their mental health too, with sessions available both in-person and online.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.