Radical prostatectomy is an operation to remove the prostate
gland and the cancer contained within it. You may be suitable for
this treatment if your cancer is thought to be contained within the
prostate gland (localised prostate cancer)
and you are otherwise fit and healthy. There are several ways of
removing the prostate gland:
Open prostatectomy
This is the most common method. There are two types of open
surgery:
• Retropubic
The most common type of open prostatectomy. Done through a cut
in the abdomen.
• Perineal
Done through the area between the testicles and back
passage.
Keyhole prostatectomy
Also called a laparoscopic prostatectomy. This involves
accessing the prostate through five or six small openings, rather
than one large one.
• By hand
• With the help of a robot
This is a relatively new treatment and is only available in a
small number of centres in the UK.
All of these methods appear to be equally good at treating
prostate cancer.
What other
treatments are available?
Updated August 2010
To be reviewed August 2012