Prostate Cancer Surgery

In the early stages of the disease, surgery for prostate cancer is common. Types of surgery include radical retropubic prostatectomy, radical perineal prostatectomy, and laparoscopic prostatectomy. After surgery, the urethra needs time to heal, so a catheter may be inserted for a few days to weeks. The surgery may cause short-term problems, such as incontinence, or long-term problems, such as impotence.

Prostate Cancer Treatments

Prostate Cancer Surgery: An Overview

Men with prostate cancer have several treatment options available to them. The treatment that is best for one man may not be best for another.

Prostate cancer surgery is a common treatment during the early stages of the disease. Your doctor may remove the whole prostate or only part of it.

Prostate cancer treatment options other than surgery include:

Watchful waiting (see Watchful Waiting for Prostate Cancer)
Radiation therapy (see Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer)
Hormone therapy (see Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy).

You may also have a combination of prostate cancer treatments.

Nerve-Sparing Surgery for Prostate Cancer

In some cases, your doctor can use a method known as nerve-sparing surgery. This type of surgery may save the nerves that control erection. But if you have a large tumor (or a tumor that is very close to the nerves), you may not be able to have this surgery.

(Prostate Cancer Surgery Continued: Page 2)