Trust blog

Leading the way in robotic and focal therapy surgery 14 Jan 2026

Ms Mariana Bertoncelli Tanaka is a consultant urological surgeon in robotic prostatectomy and focal therapy at our Trust. She is also the first female robotic prostatectomy surgeon in London and the first female dual-accredited robotic and focal therapy surgeon in the UK. Here, she tells us about her journey, inspirations and hopes for the future of prostate cancer care.

How does it feel to be the first female robotic prostatectomy surgeon in London and the first female dual-accredited robotic and focal therapy surgeon in the UK?

It’s a huge honour, especially because I achieved this at the Trust. Being a woman doesn’t feel like the defining part of the story to me. What matters is the professional achievement, which I believe would hold the same value whether I were a man or a woman.

I trained in Brazil and came to the UK straight after graduating. Almost from the moment I arrived, I’ve worked at Imperial College Healthcare: first in fellowships, then as a locum consultant, and now in my substantive role. It feels surreal and incredibly rewarding. I’m doing what I love in a place I deeply admire and where I would be proud for my own family to be treated.

When I came to the UK, it was for personal reasons. I wanted to raise my family somewhere safe, and initially my priority was simply to pay the bills and settle in.

As opportunities came, I started to realise how far I could go and with the right support and mentors, I kept pushing. I never expected to reach this point, but I’m very grateful that people believed in me and encouraged me along the way.

What inspired you to pursue medicine and then urology?

I decided at 16 while on an exchange year in Germany. I completed a mandatory hospital observership and a gynaecologist invited me to watch a laparoscopy. I was mesmerised by how beautiful the body looked inside. That was my “aha” moment.

Before that, I wanted to study engineering. My dad’s a doctor, so he was thrilled, but my mum’s a mathematician and was slightly disappointed to lose me to biology! But my family always supported me as long as I was happy.

I fell in love with urology in my third year of medical school after watching a kidney transplant. To me, everything about the anatomy was neat, clean and logical. Prostate cancer came later as I realised how complex and nuanced it is. No two patients are the same, and tailoring care is incredibly rewarding.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

Right now, I’m in the hospital everyday Monday to Friday and sometimes Saturdays too. I run clinics most mornings and operate on Thursdays and Saturdays. Being consistently present provides continuity across the service, especially with specialist nurses running our two-week-wait cancer pathways. If they need support, I’m there.

When operating, I almost always have a trainee with me. Excellent training defined my own career and as an international doctor, I have a real insight into the challenges international graduates face, from navigating a new system to new expectations and cultural differences. I try to make every training experience positive and meaningful.

The nurses, clinical nurse specialist teams and theatre staff around me are fantastic. Being part of a strong team makes a huge difference to me emotionally as well as professionally.

For people who don’t know, what do robotic surgery and focal therapy involve?

Focal therapy targets only the cancerous part of the prostate. We offer three types: high-intensity focused ultrasound (using heat to destroy the cancer), cryotherapy (freezing the cancer), and irreversible electroporation (using electrical pulses to destroy the cancer).

Focal therapy is usually for cancers confined to one area of the prostate. Because we treat only part of the gland, patients often have significantly better functional outcomes, including lower risks of incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

Robotic prostatectomy is the complete removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles (a pair of glands that store the semen) using robotic-assisted keyhole surgery. It’s typically for more aggressive, bilateral, or multifocal cancers.

Being dual trained means I can genuinely tailor the recommendation to the patient. My patient remains my patient whichever option they choose, so I can counsel without bias. I often spend hours educating patients, then encourage them to go home, think, and decide in their own time. Empowering patients is central to my practice.

Researchers at our Trust are co-leading TRANSFORM, the biggest prostate cancer screening trial in generations. How does that feel?

I’m not directly involved in the research side of TRANSFORM, but I will definitely play a role in caring for patients identified through screening, including supporting their diagnostic pathway and treatment when required. I will also support those that have been diagnosed but don’t require treatment immediately, i.e. the ones that remain on active monitoring.

This study could change how prostate cancer is screened not just in the UK, but worldwide. Being part of a trust leading this work is inspiring.

Are you involved in other research?

I’m involved in several important studies through Imperial Prostate, one of the leading prostate cancer research hubs internationally. These include:

• Active surveillance research, including the ATLAS study, to optimise how we safely monitor low- to intermediate- risk prostate cancer.
• PART study, comparing focal therapy and radical treatment.
• ELIPSE, investigating extended lymph node dissection during prostatectomy.
• PREMISE, assessing the different benign prostate enlargement surgical options.
• FOCUS, a new study exploring real-time intraoperative ultrasound to detect and treat residual cancer during focal therapy.

Working alongside leaders like Professor Hashim Ahmed, who transformed prostate cancer diagnostics with the PROMIS trial, is incredibly motivating.

What message would you share with anyone considering a career in surgery?

I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. I love being a surgeon. But we need to be real, there are still challenges. Bias unfortunately exists, and some people still see surgery as a “boys’ club”. But that culture is changing, and our Trust is genuinely committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

If I could offer advice, it would be this:

• Be vocal about what you want. People can’t support you if they don’t know what you want.
• Work hard and seek mentors. The right guidance can change your entire path.
• Don’t let your background limit you. I came from a developing country, trained without a PhD or master’s, but with determination and support, I am now a consultant in one of the best services in the country.
• Remember the NHS needs diversity. International doctors, women, people of all backgrounds – we need everyone, so never let that deter you!

Any final thoughts?

I owe so much to the mentors and institutions that supported me, in Brazil and the UK. But I could never have done any of this without my mum.

Being both a surgeon and a mother is incredibly challenging, and her help with childcare and support in general have really enabled me to pursue my career and make my achievements possible. She is truly my backbone. So, thanks, Mum!