Radical Prostatectomy

radical prostatectomy

Radical Prostatectomy

It is considered as the best choice for men’s who suffers from Localized cancer of the prostate. It is a surgical intervention where the prostate gland is excised partly or completely along with the seminal vesicles. At times, the lymph nodes are also dissected simultaneously. This procedure is done under spinal or general anesthesia. The persons who opts for Radical Prostatectomy must have,

  • Good health.
  • Ten years of life expectancy.
  • The malignancy that is confined to the particular area.
  • Should have spoken to the consultant about various treatment options.

Merits of Radical Prostatectomy:

  • In this procedure, immediately the cancerous tissues are examined by the pathologist to check on the spread and the degree of the cancer.
  • The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) present in the serum should not be detectable and if there is a recurrence, it becomes easy to diagnose.
  • If necessary Radiation therapy can be given with minimal side effects.
  • The recurrence of malignancy is almost beyond five years which is confirmed by receptive PSA testing.

Types of Radical Prostatectomy:

 Retropubic:

Here the surgeon makes a slit on the lower part of the abdomen to remove the prostate gland and the lymph nodes are also removed for a detailed study. ‘Nerve Sparing Approach’ is allowed because it lessens the risk of impotence. It means the surgeon tries to save either one or both bundle of nerves required for erection. But if the cancer has been spread to the other areas he cannot do it.

Laparoscopic:

This technique is very similar to Retro pubic one, where a small tiny slit of about less than one cm is made and through anyone of the opening the cancerous tissue is removed. The surgeon uses small magnified scales and video camera to excise the bad tissues and while removing the slit it is stretched out to two to three cms wide.

Perineal:

This method involves making an incision in the area between Scrotum and Anus, then expurgating the prostate gland. Only ‘Nerve Sparing’ can be done and Lymph node dissection is not possible, which can be done either by laparoscopy or through abdominal incision.

Usually lymph nodes are also removed to examine whether the tumor cells has spread to the nodes. It is done before or during the procedure simultaneously and is called as “Pelvic Node Dissection”. When radical prostatectomy is done after radiation therapy it is called by “Salvage Radical Prostatectomy”.