There are several treatment options available for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. One of the determining factors to choose the most suitable treatment is whether the tumor remains inside the prostate gland, or it has extended beyond it. Radical prostatectomy consists of surgically removing the entire prostate, as well as the adjacent lymph nodes.
During this procedure, patients receive general anesthesia before conducting this procedure. After the prostate gland and lymph nodes are removed, a rubber tube (known as a catheter) is used to allow for urine to be carried out of the body until the wounds heal and the patient recovers from the surgery. Patients usually stay at the hospital for approximately three days, and the catheter needs to be used for approximately 3 weeks.
Radical prostatectomy could result in complete recovery if the entire tumor is removed and the patients do not suffer any relapses. Moreover, since the lymph nodes are also removed, it is possible to more accurately determine the extent of the tumor and cancer in the prostate.
On the other hand, radical prostatectomy could present any of the complications common to all surgeries, such as blood loss. This particular surgery could also result in impotence and incontinence; however, these occur in very small percentages. These complications, as well as others, depend on age, other illnesses and other medical conditions.
Consult your doctor for more information to know whether this treatment option is good for you.