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The most effective way to treat early-stage prostate cancer is to surgically remove the prostate. Although, if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or lymph nodes, surgery will no longer be the best option.
Fortunately, for most people, recovery and side effects for prostate cancer removal are minimal! This of course depends on their overall health, age, and the skill of the surgeon.
Radical prostatectomy
A radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure removing the prostate, using different techniques. During the operation, the surgeon removes the entire prostate gland, including the seminal vesicles, which are the glands that make fluid and eventually become part of semen. Depending on where the cancer is located, surrounding lymph nodes may also be removed.
The two main ways to remove the prostate is an open prostatectomy and a laparoscopic prostatectomy, both of which fully remove the prostate gland.
Open prostatectomy methods
An open prostatectomy is when the surgeon makes one long incision to remove the prostate and nearby tissues. There are two methods to remove the prostate gland during an open prostatectomy.
- Retropubic prostatectomy - In this operation, the surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdomen, from the belly button down to the pubic bone.
- Perineal prostatectomy - In this operation, the surgeon makes an incision in the skin between the anus and scrotum, also known as the the perineum. The method is used less frequently than a retropubic prostatectomy because the surrounding lymph nodes can't be removed and it has a greater chance of causing erection problems.
Laparoscopic prostatectomy
Laparoscopic surgery is done through several small incisions in the abdomen, rather than one large incision. It's also known as a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) since a surgeon is using a robotic system to perform the surgery. The surgeon either guides the tools manually or uses robotic arms to perform the surgery.
This method of removing prostate cancer has become increasingly popular over the years thanks to its quick recovery time, shorter hospital stay, and minimal pain after surgery.
Risks of prostatectomy
Similar to any surgery, there are always risks involved. The most common risks someone would experience afterwards are the following.
- Bleeding or blood clots from the surgery
- Damage to nearby organs or tissues
- Reactions to anesthesia
- Infections at the surgery site
Side effects
Undergoing a prostatectomy can cause side effects because of the location of the prostate and surrounding tissue. However, the side effects should can go away after surgery.
- Urinary incontinence
- Erectile dysfunction
- Small decrease in penis length
We hope you found this blog from PatientsLikeMe helpful. You can find more information and tips about prostate cancer here. Be sure to stop by for more advice and questions. We're here to support you!