Prostate Cancer Surgery
Surgery is one of two main treatments for early-stage prostate cancer; radiation is the other. Surgery may be done to remove the prostate and its cancer. It may done to remove and test lymph nodes in the area to see whether the cancer has spread. It also may be done to fix urinary problems that are caused by a tumor pressing on the urethra.
The stage of your prostate cancer along with your age and general health will affect the type of surgery you choose.
Surgery Choices
Prostate Cancer Surgery
Radical prostatectomy is an operation to remove the entire prostate as well as any nearby tissue that may contain cancer. It may be done as open surgery, by making a large incision in the belly; or as laparoscopic surgery, by making several very small incisions in the belly and using a tiny camera and special instruments to remove the prostate. Sometimes lymph nodes in the area also are removed so that they can be checked for signs of cancer.