Treatment - Prostatectomy



There are various types of surgery to cater for diferrent cases of prostate cancer.

A radical prostatectomy will remove the entire prostate and some surrounding tissues. The most common type of prostatectomy is known as radical retropubic prostatectomy. After removing the prostate from behind the pubic bone, the urethra is stiched directly to the bladder to enable urine flow. It takes time for the body to adjust to this arrangement so a tube attached to a collection bag is used for about a week or more while the body adapts.

A radical procstatectomy incision can be done along the lower abdominal wall or in between the area between the anus and the scrotum known as the perineum area.

Robotic Surgery: Prostate Cancer Cure Breakthrough

(Video courtesy of djongilbert)

The emergence of laparoscopic surgery, that is, robot-guided surgery have greatly helped recovery and decrease loss of blood. In this type of surgery, keyhole incisions were made and narrow instruments attached with camera and surgical tools were inserted. This enable surgeons to see inside the body without having to cut open the abdomen. Operation were done with the surgeon controlling the surgical tools to cut away cancer cells.

Perhaps the real issue in prostatectomy is leaving the erectile nerves intact. Erectile nerves run alongside the prostate and they are very fine and hard to differentiate. Patients with large tumor or tumor that has spread very near to the erectile nerve cannot have this kind of 'nerve sparring' surgery. In situations where the nerves cannot be spared due to cancer spreading, surgical attaching or taking nerves from other oart of the body to reconnect erectile nerves may be possible.

It is therefore crucial to engage a doctor who perform prostatectomy regularly and who is recommended by former patients.