How Is Your Health?

The prostate or prostate gland is a small organ located between the penis and bladder. Its role is to secrete a fluid that protects and nourishes sperm. It's good to note that your prostate gland gets larger as you grow older.

As you grow older, it is not uncommon to experience prostate problems; this can be because of prostate cancer or an over-enlarged prostate. These conditions may portray symptoms like frequent urges to urinate, especially at night, blood in your urine or semen, painful ejaculation or urination, weak urine flow and difficulty starting to urinate.

If you encounter any of the above symptoms, visit your urologist as soon as possible to eliminate prostate cancer. It is in your best interest to catch prostate cancer early so that the doctor can act quickly before it spreads.

Different Types of Prostate Cancer

Low-risk prostate cancer

This is the least severe form of prostate cancer. It is confined within your prostate with no signs of growth or spreading. You may, however, require surgery to remove part of your seminal vesicles and urethra. This surgery is referred to as prostate cancer surgery.

Medium-risk prostate cancer

Even though this type of cancer is confined to your prostate, there is a chance that it might spread. Prostate cancer surgery is required to remove more than just part of your urethra and seminal vesicles. The surgeon may also remove the surrounding lymph glands to make sure they get it all. 

High-risk prostate cancer 

This can either be in the late stages of medium-risk prostate cancer or when cancer has already spread to other organs. The surgeon will cut out all cancerous cells during prostate cancer surgery.

Types of Prostate Cancer Surgery

After your prostate cancer surgeon carries out different tests, they may conduct surgery through one of the following methods:

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy 

This is mostly suitable for low-risk prostate cancer and some medium-risk prostate cancer. The surgeon makes a small incision and uses a piece of equipment with cameras to manoeuvre through the tiny incision. This method enhances quick recovery and minimal blood loss.

Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy 

This method is almost similar to the laparoscopic radical prostatectomy method; instead of the surgeon operating the surgical instruments by hand, they operate them remotely from a computer. This method has the same benefits as the laparoscopic radical prostatectomy method, but it is also more precise.

Open radical prostatectomy 

This method is recommended if cancer has spread severely, and when the methods mentioned above are not practical. Most high-risk prostate cancer patients may be treated using this method. The surgeon cuts a larger incision to fit their hands and tools to access the cancerous cells.                      

Speak with a professional to discuss which type of prostate cancer surgery would be most appropriate for you.