| In many cases, early stage prostate cancer surgery | | | | This however is a very small price to pay for being |
| treatment is recommended as the first course of | | | | cancer-free. |
| action. If you had detected your prostate cancer | | | | There are a number of types of treatment for |
| early, then the operation is a fairly simple procedure. | | | | prostate cancer available and the one you choose will |
| Only the cancerous section of your prostate gland is | | | | be specific to your case. You need to discuss your |
| removed. | | | | options with your oncologist before choosing a |
| However, on ocassions, prostate cancer surgery | | | | treatment. Your oncologist should be well equipped to |
| treatment does not go according to plan. This | | | | offer all the information you need to make an |
| happens when your cancer is found to be in close | | | | informed decision. |
| proximity to nerves or the urethra, and so | | | | More often than not the entire prostate gland will be |
| long-lasting side effects are a possibility. You will need | | | | removed so that there is little chance of the cancer |
| to consider these issues before agreeing to the | | | | returning at a later date. The surrounding lymph |
| treatment. | | | | nodes will also be removed as this is the first place |
| If the nerves that control the penis become | | | | that the cancer will have spread to and by removing |
| damaged during your treatment, then impotence may | | | | them the surgeon is effectively removing all chances |
| develop and this will seriously affect your future sex | | | | of the cancer subsequently spreading around the |
| life. You should discuss this with your partner and see | | | | body. |
| how you both feel about it before you agree to the | | | | A radical prostatectomy removes the entire prostate |
| operation. | | | | gland however the surgeon can enter the body |
| Two other possible consequences of prostate cancer | | | | through the abdomen or through an incision made |
| surgery treatment are incontinence and urinary | | | | between the scrotum and the anus. In some cases, |
| leakage. Incontinence is when you have very little | | | | where the cancer is confined to a specific area of |
| control over urination while urinary leakage is where | | | | the prostate gland, key-hole surgery or laparoscopy |
| you can control when you urinate but you dribble a | | | | may be an option so that only infected sections of |
| little either before or after voiding your bladder. | | | | the gland need to be removed. |
| These two symptoms often disappear after a few | | | | Your decision on the specific prostate cancer surgery |
| weeks however you should be prepared for the | | | | treatment will depend on the extent of your cancer |
| eventuality that they do not. | | | | and your individual preferences. It is crucial that you |
| Prostate cancer surgery treatment is a painful | | | | discuss your decision over with your loved ones. |
| procedure and in the days following the operation | | | | They may have some inputs that can help you |
| you will feel very uncomfortable and may have to | | | | choose which option is best. |
| rely on nurses and loved ones to help with toileting. | | | | |