Prostate Cancer SurgeryVisit our Prostate Health Discussion Forum
Prostate Cancer SurgeryWhether to have prostate surgery or not is one of the most agonizing decisions faced by men--especially when the prostate cancer has been diagnosed in an early stage. A recent study seemed to show that prostate cancer surgery before age 65 clearly saves lives. In fact, prostate cancer surgery cut the eventual death rate by more than half. But for men older than 65, however, results of prostate cancer surgery were less conclusive. These men account for the vast majority of prostate cancer patients. Prostate cancer sometimes develops so slowly that it becomes likely that the patient will die of other causes before succumbing to it. Radical prostatectomy is a prostate cancer surgery procedure to remove the entire prostate gland along with the nearby lymph nodes. This is usually done under general anesthesia. After the prostate gland is taken out, a catheter is put through the penis into the bladder to carry urine until the area heals. Short-term risks of this type of prostate cancer surgery are low for healthy men. It usually requires a hospital stay of 2 to 3 days, and the catheter is left in place for 2 to 3 weeks. Patients are generally able to return to work in about a month. Severe pain doesn't usually accompany this kind of prostate cancer surgery, and bladder control returns in anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. The main advantage of a radical prostatectomy is its certainty. If all of the cancer is removed during surgery, you are probably cured. Also, this type of prostate cancer surgery can reveal how advanced your cancer is, because the nearby lymph nodes are removed with the tumor. Prostate cancer surgery does have risks and possible complications. You could lose a lot of blood during prostate cancer surgery, so it may be a good idea to save several unit of your own blood as a replacement. Incontinence and impotence can also be factors. Fortunately, the percentage of men who suffer from these after effects following a radical prostatectomy is relatively low. However, up to one-third of men have some accidental leakage of urine during heavy lifting, coughing or laughing. Impotence can result from prostate cancer surgery if the nerves are cut during the procedure. This may not be possible if the tumor is large. If you're under 50 years old when you have prostate cancer surgery, you're likely to return to your previous sexual function. If you're older than 70, some loss of sexual function is likely. Related articles: Prostate Health, Enlarged Prostate, Prostate Cancer, Prostate Cancer Symptoms, Prostate Cancer Cure
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