Prostate Health

Treatments for Prostate Cancer

Surgery for Prostate Cancer

What are the types of surgery for prostate cancer?

radical prostatectomy: an open-surgery procedure in which the entire prostate gland and some tissue around it are removed. This surgery involves an incision in either the abdomen or the scrotum area.
transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): surgery to remove the cancer in the prostate gland using a small tool that is placed inside the prostate through the urethra. There is no incision with this method.
cryosurgery: this procedure involves killing the cancer by freezing the cells with a small metal tool placed in the tumor.

What are some of the complications or side effects of prostate surgery?

Long-term, serious side effects are somewhat less common now than in the past because new surgical methods continue to be introduced. New nerve-sparing surgical procedures may prevent permanent injury to the nerves that control erection, and damage to the opening of the bladder. However, possible complications and side effects of prostate surgery still exist. Be sure to discuss the following with your physician before a surgical procedure:

incontinence - this is an inability to control urine and may result in leakage or dribbling of urine, especially just after surgery. Normal control returns for many patients within several weeks or months after surgery, although some patients become permanently incontinent.
impotence - this is the inability to have an erection of the penis. For a month or so after surgery, most men are not able to get an erection. Eventually, approximately 40-60 percent of men will be able to get an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, but without ejaculation of semen, since removal of the prostate gland prevents that process.

This effect on a man's ability to achieve an erection is related to the stage of the cancer and the patient's age. However, most men who have this surgery should expect some decrease in their ability to have an erection. For men who are completely impotent after surgery, several solutions are available.

This page was last updated on: March 4, 2008.

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