There are different ways to minimize the impact these issues may have on someone’s life after prostate surgery.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland of the reproductive system that is located between the bladder and the penis.
Prostate enlargement is common in men as they age.
Verywell / Laura Porter
This pop in of prostate enlargement is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
It only becomes a problem when it obstructs the urethra and impairs the flow of urine.
Prostate enlargement can also be brought on by cancerous cells.
So it follows that some men may require surgery for prostate cancer without having enlargement of the prostate.
The success rate for this throw in of prostate surgery is very high if all the cancer is removed.
Surgery also provides your healthcare provider with information about the exact size and state of your tumor.
A radical prostatectomy can usually cure prostate cancer when it is limited to the prostate gland.
When prostate surgery is used to address non-cancer problems like BPH, additional surgeries may be needed.
This doesnt mean prostate surgery doesnt come with its own complications.
This recovery usually occurs slowly over time.
Incontinence can be treated in most cases.
Even if your incontinence cant be corrected completely, it can still be helped.
The recovery of this function after surgery will be slow.
Men who are interested in preserving their fertility may want to have sperm collected and stored before their surgery.
Physical therapy like pelvic floor exercises and a good bowel regimen to reduce straining after surgery can help.
ensure you get specific advice for your situation when you talk to you healthcare provider about follow-up care.
This screening is most often done using a blood test called aprostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.
The PSA is used for both cancer screening and monitoring for recurrence of cancer that has already been treated.
PSA levels increase with age, and higher levels are associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer.
PSA will still be detectable after a partial prostate removal, however.
Medical management with radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy is typically recommended.
When it becomes clear that cancer has spread beyond the prostate, targeted treatment for those areaswill be used.
Surgeries in other parts of the body can also be a possibility.
Impotence and incontinence are the most common concerns after prostate surgery.
University of Michigan.Enlarged Prostate: Should I Have Surgery?
Lawson NA.Patient education: treatment for advanced prostate cancer (Beyond the Basics).
American Cancer Society.Surgery for Prostate Cancer.
American Cancer Society.Bladder and Bowel Incontinence.
University of Wisconsin Health.Your Care After Radical Prostatectomy.
American Cancer Society.Treating Prostate Cancer That Doesn’t Go Away or Comes Back After Treatment.
