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Prostate Cancer - Surgery
Surgery is one of two main treatments for
early-stage
prostate cancer. Radiation is the other. Surgery may
be done to remove the prostate and its cancer. It may done to remove and test
lymph nodes
in the area to see whether the cancer has spread. It also may be
done to fix urinary problems that are caused by a tumor pressing on the
urethra.
The stage of your prostate cancer along with your age and general health will affect the type of surgery you choose.
Surgery Choices
Radical prostatectomy is an operation to remove the entire prostate and any nearby tissue that may contain cancer. It can be done as open surgery through an incision (cut) in the belly, or as laparoscopic surgery through several very small incisions in the belly. Laparoscopic surgery is done with a tiny camera and special instruments to remove the prostate. Sometimes lymph nodes in the area also are removed so that they can be checked for signs of cancer. This is called a lymph node biopsy
Nerve-sparing surgery helps preserve the nerves that are along the side of the prostate and that are needed for an erection. This is only done when there is little chance of leaving cancer cells behind. If you already have sexual function issues, nerve-sparing surgery may not be the best choice for you.
Laparoscopic surgery is most often done by hand. A few doctors now do this surgery by guiding robotic arms that hold the surgery tools. This is called robot-assisted prostatectomy .
What To Think About
Removing the prostate can cause erection problems and bladder problems. But for many men, these problems get better over time. If you decide to have surgery, find a surgeon who does at least 40 prostate surgeries a year. Studies show that men have fewer side effects from surgery when they have a skilled and experienced surgeon.16
Surgery may completely remove your prostate cancer. But it is not possible to know for sure before surgery whether the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. When cancer has spread, it cannot always be cured with surgery alone.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Prostate Cancer Topics
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate
Sheldon Marks, MD, explains nearly everything you need to know about an enlarged prostate but were afraid to ask.
