Surgery for Prostate Cancer

Surgical removal of the cancerous prostate gland is an excellent way to cure early stage prostate cancer. In some circumstances, additional measures such as radiation, hormonal manipulation or chemotherapy may be combined with surgery to improve outcomes.

Types of surgery that may be recommended include:

• Radical Prostatectomy: This involves the surgical removal of the prostate gland - prior to the development of external beam radiation therapy. To date, this has been one of the most common treatments for prostate cancer and requires an inpatient hospital stay. While this treatment has high success rates, it can result in a higher risk of impotence and incontinence than other treatment modalities. Surgeons now perform nerve-sparing prostatectomies in an attempt to reduce the risk of impotence.
• da Vinci™ Prostatectomy: This robotic-assisted procedure involves the removal of the cancerous prostate gland and if need be, any related structures. The benefits of the da Vinci surgery over traditional surgical methods revolve around the less invasive nature of this surgery where a couple of very small incisions into the abdomen are all that is necessary. Other benefits to patients may include less blood loss, less scarring, a shorter recovery time, less pain and more importantly a quicker return to normal daily activities.

To select a surgeon (urologist) who treats prostate cancer, visit our Prostate Cancer Specialists web page.

Reviewed 02/2010