Prostate cancer surgery is a radical prostate surgery
method. This surgery involves the removing of the whole prostate gland
and the tissues that are found nearby. There are two methods of surgery
that are followed- retropubic and perineal.
The retropubic procedure is where the surgeon removes
the prostate gland by making a cut in the lower part of the abdomen.
That is the area below the navel and to an inch above your penis. The
perineal procedure is where the prostate is removed through a cut that
is made between the anus and the scrotum.
In the process of the prostate cancer surgery, the
doctors insert a catheter into the bladder through the penis. This is
done for the purpose of draining urine during the recovery period and
this is placed for a period of two weeks after the surgery.
Once the catheter is removed the patient experiences
urinary problems for weeks and maybe for even months before regaining
control back and feeling normal. Some may find it difficult to control
the urine while coughing or while lifting heavy things.
One of the side effects of prostate cancer surgery is
impotency. The nerves present on both sides may get damaged during the
course of surgery. Men having problems getting erections will only find
it more difficult after the prostate cancer surgery.
Some people who have undergone prostate cancer surgery
will experience side effects such as loss or reduction of orgasm and
may urinate involuntarily during orgasm.
Prostate cancer surgery has a lot of side effects and
these vary from individual to individual. The positive aspect is the
removal of the cancer and the negative aspect is coping with health
problems that crop up because of the side effects that are a result of
the surgery.
There have been new techniques that have developed in
the field of prostate cancer surgery. They are laparoscopic surgery and
robotic surgery. The tools used are more accurate and also cause fewer
side effects that affect the basic functioning of men.
Whatever technique you may opt for, it is very essential
to take time to understand, carefully think and make a choice and
decide if this is the road to a prostate cancer free life.
