If prostate cancer is caught in the early stages, and is still contained to the gland itself, then prostate removal is a good treatment option. This involves cutting an incision and removing all or part of the prostate, depending on how much cancer is present. Recovery is usually fast, although some side effects can be unpleasant, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The procedures for prostate removal are grouped into two: open, and laparascopic.

Open procedures involve cutting a single, medium-sized incision (8 to 10 cm) either on the lower abdomen or on the perineum. The surgeon removes the prostate gland from between the bladder and urethra, and then reconnects them and ties off any blood vessel that fed the prostate. During the recovery period, the patient will have to wear a catheter for about a week, but recovery is generally relatively fast.

Laparascopic prostatectomy, or minimally invasive surgery, involves the doctor making very small incisions on the abdomen and inserting a rod with a light and camera, performing the prostate removal without making large open incisions. Recent advances in computer technology have made this procedure much more precise in recent years, such as the da Vinci robot-assisted method. However, studies have not been able to find an advantage in doing laparascopic surgery, and much of the popularity of it is often attributed to marketing and no clear improvement over traditional open prostatectomy. This type of surgery also requires more expertise from the surgeon, up to 250 surgeries before professional level is reached.

Recovery from any type of prostatectomy usually involves staying on a clear liquid diet until normal bowel functions return, and many times having a catheter in place for a week or so. The most common side effects are urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Both of these can obviously affect quality of life, so special care must be taken to ensure that prostate removal is what is needed for the patient and that these side effects can be adequately managed. Depending on the amount of cancer in the prostate and the skill of the surgeon, it is possible to attempt “nerve sparing” surgery, to preserve the nerves that result in erection and thus maintain that ability.

If prostate removal is not a good option for the patient, there are many other treatment courses available, such as hormone therapy, brachytherapy, radiation therapy, and so forth.