A prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland found in men that produces fluid that helps transport sperm.
There are different types of prostatectomies, including:
Depending on the type of prostatectomy you have, you may experience changes or side effects. Some individuals experience urinary changes including incontinence or urinary frequency. Others may experience sexual changes such as erectile or sexual dysfunction. The severity and duration of these side effects vary greatly from person to person. Many men experience minimal long-term effects. Your AHN care team will work with you to create a personalized plan to manage any challenges you face.
The surgical removal of the prostate gland — a simple prostatectomy or radical prostatectomy — is considered when other treatments aren’t successful or appropriate, and when the benefits outweigh the risks. A patient may be diagnosed with a prostate cancer that can be successfully treated with this treatment approach, or they may be experiencing other health issues that is affecting the prostate and it function which requires this surgical technique. Prostate removal is a significant surgery, and your AHN care team will discuss your options with you.
A prostatectomy may be considered as a treatment approach in many scenarios, including:
This is by far the most common reason for a prostatectomy. Specific scenarios include:
While less frequent, a prostatectomy might be considered for exceptionally severe BPH cases unresponsive to other treatments:
This is a rare indication for chronic, severe, untreatable prostatitis. In exceedingly rare instances of severe, persistent prostatitis resistant to all other treatment modalities, a prostatectomy might be considered as a resort to alleviate symptoms. This is usually only considered after extensive other therapies have failed.
In extremely unusual circumstances, a prostatectomy might be part of a more complex surgical procedure, for example, during pelvic surgery for other conditions.
It's vital to remember that the decision to undergo a prostatectomy is made on a case-by-case basis after a thorough evaluation of the patient's condition, risk factors, and preferences in consultation with a urologist. The potential benefits and risks are carefully weighed against alternative treatments before proceeding.
Choosing AHN for a prostatectomy means you are choosing health care providers who see you as the individual you are with unique needs. AHN offers comprehensive, compassionate care that takes into account your whole health. Our providers work in a multi-disciplinary manner, which means they are partnering and consulting with other areas of medicine to consider all outcomes and treatment resources. This approach helps to achieve optimal health outcomes for our patients.
Preparing for a prostatectomy can bring on a mix of emotions and questions. Understanding what to expect before your surgery is crucial in helping curb some of these emotions. Before a prostatectomy, you can expect a series of blood and urine tests, imaging studies (an MRI or CT scan), a physical exam, and a consultation with your care team. Depending on the type of prostatectomy you will have, you will receive specific instructions from your doctor on how to prepare for the day of your prostatectomy.
The day of a prostatectomy will vary significantly depending on whether you will undergo a simple or a radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland), as well as whether your procedure is performed via open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery. Most patients will be asked to arrive at the hospital early in the day. Often patients are instructed to refrain from food and drink for a specified time period. Preoperative checks are common and include monitoring vital signs, inserting an IV, and final confirmation of surgical consent. You will meet with an anesthesiologist to review your medical history and discuss the sedation plans. The surgical site will be prepped, and a catheter will likely be inserted. Your AHN Care Team will go over your specific plan and answer any questions you may have.
Prostatectomy recovery involves several weeks or even months of healing, with initial days marked by pain that’s managed with medication and a urinary catheter in place. Gradual increases in activity are expected, alongside regular follow-up appointments to monitor healing and address complications like urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. Physical therapy may be recommended to improve strength and mobility. A full return to normal activities and pre-surgery function may take considerable time; some patients can return to normal activities in about four to six weeks, and some patients may take a little longer depending on the type of surgery performed. Most people are able to resume sexual activity after recovering from surgery, though with advanced age this may be less common.
A prostatectomy is a major surgery that will affect a person’s overall health and well-being. Having questions is completely normal and your AHN Care Team is here to help answer those questions. You may be wondering about a number of different side effects, and these FAQs are here to help you get started.
Removing the prostate gland will have varying effects on the body depending on the overall health and age of the individual. For some, that may mean urinary changes such as incontinence. Damage to the nerves and muscles controlling urination can lead to temporary or, in some cases, permanent urinary incontinence. This means leaking urine uncontrollably. The severity varies greatly depending on the surgical technique and individual factors. For others, that may mean they experience erectile dysfunction. This is because the nerves the prompt an erection run close to the prostate, and those erectile nerves can become damaged during surgery. This is sometimes temporary, but in some cases, this can be permanent. Your AHN urologist is here to help answer your questions with compassion and understanding.
Life expectancy after a prostatectomy isn’t significantly altered for most patients if the prostate cancer was successfully treated and there was no metastatic disease (cancer spread to other parts of the body) at the time of surgery. In other words, the surgery itself doesn't dramatically reduce lifespan.
Please call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 to schedule a prostatectomy.
