CMH unveils AI-assisted prostate treatment
Published 9:00 am Sunday, October 5, 2025
Minimally invasive therapy has fewer side effects, hospital says
Columbia Memorial Hospital is expanding its robotic-assisted surgical offerings with a new artificial intelligence-powered platform at the CMH-OHSU Health Urology Clinic.
The clinic recently introduced Aquablation therapy using the HYDROS Robotic System, a minimally invasive treatment designed to relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH — a common condition in older men caused by an enlarged prostate.
The HYDROS system uses AI to guide a heat-free water jet that precisely removes excess prostate tissue while preserving sexual function and urinary continence. The technology is intended to offer a safer alternative to traditional surgical methods, which can carry a higher risk of side effects.
Sarah Bello, director of communication at CMH, said that this is the first of its kind on the Oregon and Washington coast. The closest locations for Aquablation therapy are Portland, Olympia, Washington, and Seattle.
“There are several options for the treatment of BPH; a more invasive option might include a surgical incision into the abdomen, typically resulting in a longer recovery, more pain and bleeding,” said Bello.
BPH affects the prostate gland, which surrounds the urethra. When enlarged, it can restrict the flow of urine and cause complications including bladder or kidney damage.
“Aquablation is performed through the urethra, requiring no abdominal incisions,” Bello said.
The treatment
Bello said the robotic system will always be operated by a urologist from the CMH-OHSU Health Urology Clinic, alongside a surgical team that includes nurses, anesthetists, technicians and other caregivers.
“It is AI-powered, meaning it was built on its experience from more than 50,000 procedures and includes smart AI tools for treatment planning, advanced imaging and robotic precision,” Bello said.
She said this makes the procedure more efficient and easier for surgical teams to use, while providing more consistent results for patients.
“BPH is a common condition that can severely compromise a man’s quality of life,” Dr. John Mansfield, a board-certified urologist at the clinic, said in a news release. “When advanced, it can also significantly affect kidney function. We’re pleased to now offer Aquablation therapy in Astoria so patients can reclaim their lifestyles with minimal downtime and side effects.”
If left untreated, the condition can lead to more serious complications, including bladder stones, urinary incontinence and permanent kidney and bladder damage.
While surgery has traditionally been the standard treatment for BPH, many procedures carry a risk of sexual dysfunction or loss of urinary control. Mansfield said Aquablation therapy offers a clinically proven alternative with fewer long-term complications.
Expansion of robotic surgery at CMH
The HYDROS Robotic System is now available at the CMH-OHSU Health Urology Clinic in Astoria.
CMH also offers other tools that include artificial intelligence. It provides robotic-assisted total joint replacements using Mako SmartRobotics, and in 2023, it became the first hospital on the Oregon and Washington coast to offer total joint surgeries using the advanced system.
“When the hospital expansion is completed in 2027, we anticipate offering more robotic surgical options,” Bello said.
BPH statistics
About 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). That jumps to 70% among men aged 60 to 69 and around 80% of men over 70 years of age.
— Yale School of Medicine