NGMC is honored to provide a variety of cancer treatments close to home. Our highly skilled and compassionate oncology team can treat various types of prostate cancer with surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and other treatment options. Each patient and their specific type of cancer is carefully and thoroughly evaluated when developing a personalized treatment plan.
Who is a candidate for prostate cancer surgery?
Prostate cancer surgery is often recommended for those with prostate cancer that is contained in the prostate gland. (Once the cancer has spread, other forms of treatment may provide the best outcomes.) Ideal candidates for surgery are generally healthy with no complications from surgery expected. Your oncologist will consider your current health and type of cancer, and he or she can answer any specific questions you have related to surgery.
How successful is prostate cancer surgery?
For older males with a slow growing cancer, your oncologist may suggest active monitoring instead of surgery. However, for younger males and/or men with an intermediate or high-risk cancer, treatment to the prostate gland with surgery or radiation therapy is often the standard course of action. When the cancer is confined to the prostate gland, the 10-year survival rate is more than 90%. There is a chance that the cancer can reoccur in the future, so maintaining regular visits with your oncologist is important. He or she can let you know what to expect with surgery and if it is an appropriate option for you.
Types of Prostate Cancer Surgery
There are several options for prostate removal surgery, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. The main type of surgery for prostate cancer is a radical prostatectomy. This procedure removes the entire prostate, the seminal vesicles, and sometimes lymph nodes as well. Radical prostatectomies can be performed in a variety of ways. Talk to your urologist to weigh the pros and cons before deciding on a surgery type.
Laparoscopic prostatectomy surgery is a newer approach that uses small incisions in the abdomen and specialized instruments–including one with a camera on the end so the surgeon can see inside the body. This procedure provides less bleeding and pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
Different types of laparoscopic prostatectomy include:
- Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy – The surgeon operates the instruments by himself or herself during the procedure.
- Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy – Also known as robotic prostatectomy, the surgeon uses a control panel and robotic arms to operate the instruments during the procedure.
Open prostatectomy surgery is the traditional approach to prostatectomy where a single, long skin cut is used to remove the prostate. These types of procedures are becoming less common than laparoscopic procedures.
The two types of open prostatectomy include:
- Radical retropubic prostatectomy – The incision is made in the lower abdomen.
- Radical perineal prostatectomy – The incision is made in the perineum.
The specific type of prostate removal surgery is chosen based on what will create the best long-term outcome for the patient and limit the potential that the cancer will return.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
In addition to prostate cancer treatment, NGMC offers a variety of recovery and rehabilitation services for cancer patients, including pelvic floor physical therapy for those with prostate cancer. With this type of therapy, patients work on improving urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction, sexual function/dysfunction, pain, cancer related fatigue and osteoporosis. Oncology rehabilitation is a necessary component to maximize quality of life for many cancer survivors, and NGMC is proud to be growing and developing therapy providers in these areas.
Patient Navigation
To make navigating life after a cancer diagnosis easier, NGMC offers a free patient navigation program to ensure patients and caregivers have the guidance they need from initial diagnosis to survivorship. Our patient navigators are available by phone and can help with understanding a diagnosis, finding transportation to appointments, obtaining nutritious food, and providing other forms of assistance. Learn more and reach out to our cancer Patient Navigators.
For more information about cancer care at NGMC, please call 770-219-8815.