The prostate gland is a gland that is found mostly in men whose primary function is to make semen. It is located just in front of the rectum and under the urinary bladder. A healthy prostate gland is comparatively the size of a walnut. Testosterone determines the growth of the prostate which in turn is secreted by the testicles (or the testes). It is typical for the prostate to increase in size as men age. Sometimes this can cause problems, especially with urination.
What is prostatectomy surgery ?
Prostatectomy surgery (ectomy basically means “excision”) means surgically removing either all or part of the prostate gland. It is a major surgery done to treat benign conditions that result in urinary retention, malignant prostate cancers and for other pelvic cancers.
When is prostatectomy surgery indicated ?
It is indicated in cases of prostate cancer. This is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate of the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer is typically a slow-growing cancer and the symptoms don’t develop until later, when it becomes advanced. So it is for that same reason, men are caught unaware of prostate cancer until it develops and spreads. Consequently if you are older than 50 years of age, regular consultations have to be organized with your doctor along with regular prostate examination. And as prostate cancers advance, they show symptoms like inexplicable weight loss, feeling the frequent or sudden urgency to urinate, and/or chronic pain in the lower back or pelvic region. To decide the best form of management, men with prostate cancer are divided into low, intermediate or high risk categories.
Other less common reasons for prostatectomy surgery include the following.
- Incapacity to wholly empty the bladder
- Recurrent bleeding seen from the prostate
- Bladder stones with accompanying prostate enlargement
- Very sluggish urination
- Amplified pressure on the ureters and kidneys from urinary retention.
What are the types of prostatectomy surgery ?
There chief types of prostatectomies include the following.
- A simple prostatectomy surgery removes the prostate only partly. This is a relatively simpler removal of the prostate indicated for basically benign conditions.
- On the other hand, radical prostatectomy surgery removes the entire prostate gland, the seminal vesicles and the vas deferens. This is done in cases of malignant cancer.
- There is a third type called laser prostatectomy surgery which surgically relieves moderate to severe urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate with the aid of lasers.
What does prostatectomy surgery involve ?
A simple prostatectomy surgery will be recommended if you have early stage prostate cancer, are healthy enough for undergoing surgery and expected to live for longer than 7–10 years. Prostatectomy surgery aims to remove the cancer completely by removal of the prostate gland, and based on extent of involvement, even adjacent structures. The other type of prostatectomy surgery or the radical prostatectomy surgery has to be done in more aggressive cases of cancer wherein the neighboring lymph glands also have to be removed (pelvic lymph node dissection). There are several ways of doing the operation.
- Open prostatectomy surgery : This is done via a large incision through the lower abdomen. The approach used most commonly is the retropubic (or the suprapubic) surgical approach for prostatectomy surgery. The other approach used is the perineal surgical approach. The surgery is done by urologists (doctors who focus on problems of the urinary tract). If the cancer is too widespread, radical prostatectomy surgery will then be used to remove the prostate gland and lymph nodes. It may even have to be accompanied with additional treatment, such as chemotherapy for cancers. There is also a nerve-sparing prostatectomy surgery approach which preserves erectile function.
- Laparoscopic prostatectomy surgery : This is a minimally invasive procedure done by using the aid of a robot, introduced via the urethra or via the perineum.
What does a laser prostatectomy surgery involve ?
During this type of laser surgery, a kind of scope has to be inserted via the penis tip into the tube carrying urine from your bladder (or the urethra). The prostate is the organ that surrounds the urethra. Then a laser is passed through the scope. This laser beam targets the energy that shrinks or removes excess tissue that is obstructing urine flow. These targeted lasers use intense light to make a precise and intense heated surgical beam.
What are the possible risks of prostatectomy surgery ?
- Urinary incontinence.
- Urinary leakage or dribbling.
- Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence. Recovery of sexual function will definitely take time after surgery and may be incomplete. Nerve-sparing prostatectomy surgery lessens this chance of impotence, but that also has no guarantee that it won’t happen.
- Sterility.
- Lymphedema : This is swelling of soft tissues caused by inflammation, obstruction, or removal of the lymph nodes during surgery. Pain and swelling can result. Physical therapy is helpful in treating the effects of lymphedema.
How to find urologists for prostatectomy surgery ?
Now you can find urologists for prostatectomy surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple urologists, get cost estimates for prostatectomy surgery from different hospitals, compare things and then choose an urologist for prostatectomy surgery.
Find, reach and choose an urologist for prostatectomy surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
