Prostatectomy
For men under 70 with early-stage, organ-confined cancer, surgical removal of the prostate using nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy may be recommended.
The primary goal of prostatectomy is removal of the cancer. A secondary goal is to preserve urinary function and erectile function. Preservation of the nerves necessary for erections can be an extremely important goal for patients. These nerves run alongside the prostate and are often damaged when removing the prostate. A nerve-sparing prostatectomy attempts to preserve these nerves so that the patient may be able to return to his prior erectile function.
Types of Prostatectomy
Approaches to this procedure include traditional open surgery, conventional laparoscopic surgery or robotic prostatectomy.
With a traditional open procedure, your surgeon uses an 8-10 inch incision to access the prostate. This approach can result in substantial blood loss, a lengthy, uncomfortable recovery and a risk of impotence and incontinence.
Conventional laparoscopy uses a specialized surgical camera and rigid instruments to access and remove the prostate using a series of small incisions. This approach provides your surgeon with better visualization than an open approach. In addition, it provides patients the benefits of a minimally invasive procedure.
Robotic prostatectomy is a robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery that is quickly becoming the preferred treatment for removal of the prostate following early diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Robotic prostatectomy offers these potential benefits:
- Significantly less pain
- Less blood loss
- Fewer complications
- Less scarring
- A shorter hospital stay
- A faster return to normal daily activities
Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks and benefits of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation.