Prostatectomy

Prostatectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It's located in the pelvis, below the bladder. It surrounds the hollow tube called the urethra that carries urine from the bladder to the penis.

Most often, prostatectomy is done to treat cancer that likely hasn't spread beyond the prostate gland. The entire prostate and some tissue around it are removed. This surgery is called radical prostatectomy. During surgery, any nearby lymph nodes that look unusual also may be removed and checked for cancer. Radical prostatectomy may be used alone, or along with radiation or hormone therapy. A surgeon can do a radical prostatectomy using different techniques, including: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. The surgeon makes 5 to 6 small incisions in the lower stomach area to remove the prostate. The surgeon sits at a computer console and controls surgical tools that are attached to robotic arms. Robot-assisted surgery lets the surgeon operate with precise movements. It may cause less pain than open surgery, and recovery time may be shorter. Open radical prostatectomy. The surgeon typically makes an incision in the lower abdomen to remove the prostate. Prostatectomy can treat health conditions other than cancer. For these conditions, often part of the prostate is removed. This is called a simple prostatectomy. It can be a treatment choice for some people with serious urinary symptoms and very enlarged prostate glands. An enlarged prostate is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Simple prostatectomy often is done as minimally invasive surgery with robotic assistance. It's not often done as open surgery anymore. Simple prostatectomy to treat BPH removes just the part of the prostate that's blocking the flow of urine. The surgery eases urinary symptoms and complications resulting from blocked urine flow, including: A frequent, urgent need to urinate. Trouble starting urination. Slow urination, also called prolonged urination. Urinating more than usual at night. Stopping and starting again while urinating. The feeling that you can't fully empty your bladder. Urinary tract infections. Not being able to urinate. Mayo Clinic urologists use advanced endoscopic techniques to address these symptoms without incisions in most cases. Your surgical team talks with you about the pros and cons of each technique. You also talk about your preferences. Together, you and your surgical team decide which approach is best for you.

Before surgery, your surgeon may do a test called cystoscopy that uses a device called a scope to look inside your urethra and bladder. Cystoscopy lets your surgeon check the size of your prostate and examine your urinary system. Your surgeon also may want to do other tests. These include blood tests or tests that measure your prostate and measure urine flow. Follow your surgery team's instructions on what to do before your treatment.