Description of the procedure
Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the prostate gland and some of the tissue around it. Radical prostatectomy is used to treat prostate cancer. A urologist performs this procedure in a hospital or clinic.
When should this procedure be performed?
Your doctor will decide when and how frequently this procedure is required.
Why is this procedure performed?
The procedure is performed to treat prostate cancer. It is used in cases where prostate cancer has not yet spread through the body and the man is otherwise in good health.
Are there any risks and precautions I should know about?
Certain risks are common to all surgery and anesthesia. These risks depend on many factors including the type of surgery and your own medical condition. The possible, but very rare, side effects include reactions to the anesthetic, breathing problems, infection, bleeding, scarring, and death.
Although radical prostatectomy is generally considered safe, it does have some risk of side effects or complications. These include:
- lack of bladder control (also called urinary incontinence)
- decreased ability to hold your urine flow with increased pressure, such as when you sneeze, cough, or laugh (also called stress incontinence)
- loss of control of bowel movements (also called fecal incontinence)
- erectile dysfunction (problems getting or keeping an erection) due to nerve damage
If you have any questions or concerns about the risks of the procedure, talk to your doctor.