Radical prostatectomy involves the surgical removal of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles to cure localized cancer. The surgeon normally takes out the whole prostate gland, since prostate cancer is often found in more than one part of the organ. The more tissue that is removed, the less likely the cancer will return. Along with getting rid of the tumor site, prostate removal allows your doctor to confirm the stage of the cancer, which helps guide any further treatment decisions.
Surgery can be performed in three ways — open, laparoscopic, or robotic — but the experience of the surgeon is always the most important factor.
- Open prostatectomy: Traditional surgery done through an incision underneath the naval.
- Laparoscopic prostatectomy: Surgery performed through much smaller incisions, using long instruments. This leads to shorter recovery times, a shorter hospital stay, and less blood loss.
- Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: Using the DaVinci robotic interface, the surgeon operates through small incisions, with better control to spare surrounding tissue and nerves.
