The prostate gland is an important part of the male reproductive system. Removal of all or part of the prostate may be necessary for some men, and there are several things to consider before surgery.
Removal of the prostate gland is called prostatectomy.
According to Healthline, the most common reasons for removal of the prostate include prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate.
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WebMD states that before the decision is made to undergo prostatectomy, physicians first try to confirm that the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. Men who are expected to live at least 10 more years and who have limited prostate cancer usually get the most benefit from a prostatectomy.
There are traditional approaches to the surgery involving an incision either below the belly button or, in some cases, in the space between the scrotum and anus called the perineum, says WebMD. Minimally invasive methods like laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery can accomplish the prostate removal using only a series of small incisions across the patient’s belly. In these cases, the surgeon either views the procedure on a video screen using a small camera to guide surgical tools, or a high-tech interface is used to control a robotic system outside the body that removes the prostate.
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Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are often so focused on eradicating it that they may not fully understand the
side effects of treatment, says News Medical. The most common and troubling complaints men have after prostate removal are sexual dysfunction and urinary problems. Healthline says that because the connection between the testicles and the urethra is severed during prostate removal, the surgery will result in sterility.
Recovery time can vary depending on the surgical method used, but it is likely that men will need to use a catheter for urination for up to two weeks, says Healthline. WebMD states that it can take several weeks or months for sexual and urinary function to return to optimal levels. They also stress the importance of diligent follow-up care to ensure the cancer does not return.
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