Prostate Cancer Surgery (Prostatectomy) Surgery is the most common treatment for men with localized prostate cancer, or cancer that is confined within the prostate. More than 75 percent of men who undergo surgery never experience a recurrence of prostate cancer. Jump To Jump To Prostatectomy and Radiation Learn on demand Different types of prostatectomies The main type of surgery is a radical prostatectomy, or the removal of the prostate and surrounding tissues, like the seminal vesicles. However, there are different ways to perform this surgery. Always discuss your options with your doctor and care team.Erectile dysfunction and incontinence are two common side effects associated with surgery to remove the prostate. Expand All Robotic surgery Robotically assisted surgery is where a doctor uses a machine to control tiny surgical instruments with great precision. The procedure increases accuracy, but as with all surgery, the level of experience of the surgeon is a critical factor to consider. The robotic-assisted prostatectomy is the most widely used form of prostate cancer treatment of localized prostate cancer in the United States as it offers some advantages over other types of surgery including:Less post-operative pain and discomfortFaster recovery timeReduced blood lossPossible earlier return to urinary continenceSome indications of post-operative return to sexual functioningLess scarringLess risk of infection Nerve-sparing prostatectomy A technique where the doctor cuts the edges of the prostate while making every effort to spare the nerves to allow for erectile function after surgery. However, a doctor will not know if the nerves can be spared until surgery has begun because sometimes the cancer invades the nerves around the prostate. Depending on the situation, the doctor may be able to graft nerves from other parts of the body. Laparoscopic surgery The doctor inserts a thin tube-like instrument through the navel to remove the prostate with several other small incisions in the abdomen through which surgical instruments are passed. Hospital stays are often minimal with this procedure. There are some advantages of laparoscopic surgery over retropubic or perineal surgery which can include:Less painShorter hospital stayFaster recovery timeLess time with a catheter Retropubic surgery The doctor will operate through an incision below the navel and down to the pubic bone to remove the prostate and, if suspected of possible spread into the pelvic region, nearby lymph nodes will also be removed and usually sent to the lab for further testing. Perineal surgery The doctor will operate through an incision in the skin between the scrotum and the anus. This procedure minimizes bleeding but can carry a greater risk of rectal injury. This approach is not used widely as it has a higher risk of erection problems and the inability to remove lymph nodes at the same time. However, if you have underlying medical conditions that make retropubic surgery difficult, this could be an option. Learn more about prostatectomy and radiation from our experts Watch a video about prostatectomy Prostate cancer surgery, also known as a prostatectomy, is the surgical removal of the prostate gland. Surgery vs. radiation In this virtual session from our 2022 Summit, Dr. Shaakir Hasan discusses surgery versus radiation. Learn on demand Visit our page with ZERO educational webinars. ZERO Webinars
Different types of prostatectomies The main type of surgery is a radical prostatectomy, or the removal of the prostate and surrounding tissues, like the seminal vesicles. However, there are different ways to perform this surgery. Always discuss your options with your doctor and care team.Erectile dysfunction and incontinence are two common side effects associated with surgery to remove the prostate. Expand All Robotic surgery Robotically assisted surgery is where a doctor uses a machine to control tiny surgical instruments with great precision. The procedure increases accuracy, but as with all surgery, the level of experience of the surgeon is a critical factor to consider. The robotic-assisted prostatectomy is the most widely used form of prostate cancer treatment of localized prostate cancer in the United States as it offers some advantages over other types of surgery including:Less post-operative pain and discomfortFaster recovery timeReduced blood lossPossible earlier return to urinary continenceSome indications of post-operative return to sexual functioningLess scarringLess risk of infection Nerve-sparing prostatectomy A technique where the doctor cuts the edges of the prostate while making every effort to spare the nerves to allow for erectile function after surgery. However, a doctor will not know if the nerves can be spared until surgery has begun because sometimes the cancer invades the nerves around the prostate. Depending on the situation, the doctor may be able to graft nerves from other parts of the body. Laparoscopic surgery The doctor inserts a thin tube-like instrument through the navel to remove the prostate with several other small incisions in the abdomen through which surgical instruments are passed. Hospital stays are often minimal with this procedure. There are some advantages of laparoscopic surgery over retropubic or perineal surgery which can include:Less painShorter hospital stayFaster recovery timeLess time with a catheter Retropubic surgery The doctor will operate through an incision below the navel and down to the pubic bone to remove the prostate and, if suspected of possible spread into the pelvic region, nearby lymph nodes will also be removed and usually sent to the lab for further testing. Perineal surgery The doctor will operate through an incision in the skin between the scrotum and the anus. This procedure minimizes bleeding but can carry a greater risk of rectal injury. This approach is not used widely as it has a higher risk of erection problems and the inability to remove lymph nodes at the same time. However, if you have underlying medical conditions that make retropubic surgery difficult, this could be an option.
Learn more about prostatectomy and radiation from our experts Watch a video about prostatectomy Prostate cancer surgery, also known as a prostatectomy, is the surgical removal of the prostate gland. Surgery vs. radiation In this virtual session from our 2022 Summit, Dr. Shaakir Hasan discusses surgery versus radiation.
