Prostatectomy - for cancer

This is called advanced or metastatic prostate cancer

What is prostate cancer surgery? to remove the prostate is called a radical prostatectomy. The aim of the surgery is to remove the entire prostate and all the prostate cancer.

The operation is carried out by a urologist

Who can have surgery for prostate cancer? You may be offered surgery to treat your cancer if you: have localised or locally advanced prostate cancer that has not spread too far outside of the prostate gland are medically fit for surgery and don’t have health conditions that may put you at significant risk during or after surgery are expected to live for 10 years or longer.

The operation is completed in 2 to 4 hours. You will stay in hospital for a few days and have a recovery period for several weeks after.

Most men will need time off work

Is a prostatectomy right for me? There are often several options to treat localised or locally advanced prostate cancer. These include surgery, external beam radiation therapy (with or without hormone therapy), brachytherapy or monitoring the cancer.

Making a decision about which treatment is right for you can be challenging

It is helpful to see both a urologist and radiation oncologist to get a full understanding of the treatment options, possible side effects, benefits and costs of treatment.

Surgery is an effective and potentially curative treatment for prostate cancer

Once the prostate has been removed, the pathologist can provide detailed information about the cancer.

Some men take comfort knowing that the whole of the prostate gland, including the cancer within it, has been removed.

If men have urinary difficulties due to a narrow or partially blocked urethra, surgery may improve urinary symptoms. It is important to talk to your surgeon about the risks, benefits and limitations of radical prostatectomy before undergoing treatment.

Surgical risks that occur at or soon after the surgery may include:

Infection – this may occur at the site of the wound
in the urinary tract or chest
or through an intravenous (IV) needle or drip

Treatment may include antibiotics

– this is when blood clots form. DVT can be life-threatening if the clot dislodges within a blood vessel and travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). People are given special stockings to wear during the operation and recovery period.

They are also given blood-thinning medication to prevent this complication.

If DVT does occur, treatment may include having more blood-thinning medication

Injury to nearby organs or structures – the rectum, bladder and ureters (two slender tubes that drain urine from the ) are close to the prostate and may be accidentally injured by surgical instruments.

Further surgery to repair the damage may be required.

There are three possible ways a radical prostatectomy can be done

During a radical prostatectomy, the surgeon removes the prostate gland along with the seminal vesicles and vas deferens.

The surgeon cuts the urethra just above and below the prostate. They then move the bladder down and re-join it to the urethra. Sometimes, the surgeon will remove the lymph nodes near the prostate to check if the cancer has spread.: The surgeon makes a cut approximately 8cm in length in the lower abdomen (tummy) to remove the prostate. The cut can be from below the belly button to the top of the pubic hair line, or across the top of the pubic hair line. : The surgeon performs keyhole surgery, where several small cuts are made in the lower abdomen.

The surgeon inserts a small camera and the surgical instruments so they can clearly see and remove the prostate. : The surgeon performs keyhole surgery with the aid of a robot from a console in the operating theatre. This provides the surgeon with a better view during the operation.

Your recovery time and how long you need to stay in hospital may be shorter with laparoscopic or robotic prostate surgery compared to open surgery, but all three forms of radical prostatectomy have similar rates of cancer control and side effects. Planning for your discharge home will start within the first day of your surgery.

The hospital will give you information about who to contact if you have any problems following your discharge.

Make sure you know about your follow-up arrangements for removal of the catheter and when to see your urologist.

Gentle activities are recommended at home while the catheter is still in place

When the catheter is removed, you can slowly return to normal activities that do not involve straining.

It is also important to re-start your pelvic floor exercises at this point. It is normal to feel tired and fatigued after surgery, so take time to rest if you need. Your healthcare team will advise you when you can go back to driving and physical exercise.

See the surgeon immediately if you notice any signs of infection such as fever, discharge, redness, swelling or problems with urination.

If you can’t see the surgeon, visit your local doctor or attend the emergency department of your nearest hospital. All prostate cancer treatments, including surgery, come with possible side effects.

Generally, the types of side effects can be predicted but how severe they are can be different for each person. The important thing is for you to find out as much information as you can about your treatment and the possible side effects before you start, so that you can be better prepared. ) after the catheter is removed.

This can be managed by wearing pads

For most men, incontinence improves quickly within 2 to 12 weeks. But for some men it can take longer (3 to 12 months). Occasionally, it can become a permanent and chronic problem. In this case, further surgery may be performed to improve continence.

In general, continence comes back more quickly in younger men and in men who have done pelvic floor exercises before surgery. In small numbers of men, scar tissue can develop where the urethra was re-joined to the bladder (called anastomosis).

If this happens, the urine stream may be weaker, it may be harder to start the urine stream and it may be difficult to empty the bladder.

If these symptoms occur, a telescope is passed into the bladder (cystoscopy) to look at the anastomosis.

Occasionally further surgery is required

Men who have had lymph glands removed at the time of the prostatectomy may experience a number of side-effects including, a collection of fluid (lymphocoele) at the site that the lymph glands were removed. This may need drainage or may get better on its own.

In addition, minor swelling in the legs (lymphoedema) can occur.

While it’s rare, it can help to see a to manage any swelling. Remember to talk to your healthcare team about any symptoms you have so that they can provide the treatment and support you need. A number of sexual side effects can occur after surgery.

These include: (also called erectile dysfunction) are a common side effect of surgery for prostate cancer. Erectile dysfunction is when you cannot achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual activity or penetration.

It may be temporary or permanent

It is common to lose the ability to have an erection in the short term. Erections can take 18 to 24 months to recover after surgery. There are a lot of treatment options available which you can talk to your treating specialist or healthcare team about.: This is an orgasm without ejaculating. The prostate and seminal vesicles make most of the fluid that accompanies sperm (to make up semen) when you ejaculate. Removal of these organs during surgery means there will no longer be any ejaculation of semen when you orgasm; this is a dry orgasm.

Men report different experiences with dry orgasm

Some describe a more intense orgasm, while others feel their orgasms are less pleasurable. occurs in all men after having a radical prostatectomy.

If you plan to have children following treatment, discuss this with your partner and healthcare team.: Surgery can cause some men to leak urine during orgasm.

This is called climacturia

It can help to empty your bladder before sex. You can also use a condom if this is a worry for you or your partner and speak with your doctor. : Men may report shortening or shrinkage of their penis following surgery.

On average this is about 1.2cm. This may be due to scar tissue and/or poor functioning of the nerves or blood supply. As part of your ongoing care, follow-up appointments will be offered to make sure you are recovering or have recovered from surgery.

You may have a follow-up appointment with your urologist within the first 6 to 8 weeks following surgery as well as your first PSA blood test after surgery.

After surgery, the prostate gland and surrounding tissue is examined by a pathologist to determine the grade and stage of the cancer, whether it has spread through the walls of the gland and if the cancer has been completely removed.

Your urologist will use this information and the result of your 6-to-8-week PSA as a baseline for your continuing care.

Ask your healthcare team about your ongoing follow-up care

If you have prostate cancer, it is normal to have a wide range of feelings and emotions such as shock, deep sadness,.

Some days will be worse than others

It can help to talk through your problems with a partner or good friend, gather information and advice from trusted sources, and focus on keeping well. Providing professional telephone and online support, information and referral service. – providing information about, and support for, anxiety and depression.: providing information about bladder and bowel health and accessing support.

National incontinence helpline: Tel

: find an accredited exercise physiologist. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system Cancers Around 5,000 Michiganns will be diagnosed with prostate cancer Surgery Support and information can also be obtained from your GP , a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses and/or the Prostate Cancer Foundation of United States Benefits of a prostatectomy Risks of a prostatectomy Bleeding as a result of the surgery – this may require blood transfusion.

In rare cases, another operation is required Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) kidneys into the bladder Types of prostatectomies Open radical prostatectomy Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy Recovering at home Possible side effects of surgery Urinary side effects Most men will have some degree of urinary leakage ( incontinence Lymph gland side effects physiotherapist Sexual side effects Erection problems Dry orgasm Infertility Climacturia Change in penis size Ongoing care blood test Managing your wellbeing anxiety , anger, fear and frustration.

You may also experience physical effects of stress like nausea, stomach upsets, feeling irritable or on edge, and trouble sleeping If you are very distressed and struggling to the point that it’s affecting your life, talk to your GP or a member of your healthcare team, or call PCFA Telenursing service for further support on 1800 22 00 99 Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Urologist Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 Healthy Male Prostate Cancer Foundation of United States (PCFA) 1800 22 00 99 Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 Continence Foundation of United States 1800 33 00 66 Dietitians United States: find an accredited practising dietitian (616) 555-0100 Exercise & Sport Science United States (ESSA) (616) 555-0300 Lifeline United States: personal crisis support and suicide prevention 13 11 14 (24-hour service).

Key Points

Making a decision about which treatment is right for you can be challenging
Surgery is an effective and potentially curative treatment for prostate cancer
If men have urinary difficulties due to a narrow or partially blocked urethra, surgery may improve urinary symptoms
Treatment may include antibiotics
They are also given blood-thinning medication to prevent this complication