What is a Radical Prostatectomy?
The simplest definition of a radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the entire prostate. This operation is usually performed because the patient has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The diagnoses of this problem usually starts with an annual PSA test that men are recommended having when they reach the age of 50. It is a blood test that measures the level of antigens in your blood. The level where doctors become concerned used to be 4.0 but now has been lowered to. 2.5.
When this level is transcended a second test is usually performed as it is not unusual to get false results. If the level is above 2.5 for the second time then it is recommended to go to the next level of testing which is a biopsy. The biopsy definitively will reveal whether or not you have a cancerous cells or a tumor in your prostate. A sample of prostate tissue is taken under local anesthesia and then sent to a pathology lab for analysis.
If cancer is present the analysis report then specifies the rate which the tumor is growing and also the state it is in. This information is given on a scale called the Gleason Ratings and consists of two numbers. The sum of these two numbers defines the seriousness of the problem. Depending on the outcome of the pathological analysis your doctor could recommend one of several options for the resolution of your problem.
Among these is radiation therapy, planting of radioactive seeds in your prostate or the surgical removal of your prostate which is called a radical prostatectomy. The surgical removal of your prostate is called the “gold standard” because if all of the caner cells are contained within the prostate removal of this organ removes any chance of malignant cells spreading to other organs of your body.
After your prostate is removed it is sent to the Pathology Lab for analysis. The prostate is then put under a microscope for the determination of where the cancer cells/tumor is physically located within the prostate. If the cancer is more than two millimeters for any of the edges of the prostate it is said “that the margins are clear”. This means that it is considered a low probability that any cancer cells exist out side of the prostate.
If the margins are not cleared then additional tests will occur to see whether the cancer has metastasized (spread) to other adjacent organs or the lymph node system. Before the radical prostatectomy is performed it is advisable to have an in depth conversation with your surgeon. In today’s world it is known that the sparing of the nerves surrounding the prostate is highly desirable.
The reason for this is that these nerves contribute to a man’s ability t0 has an orgasm during sexual intercourse. It is not unusual for a man to become temporarily impotent as a result of the removal of his prostate but sparing of the nerves helps recovery along with erectile dysfunction medication.
Prostate cancer is very common among men over 50 and it is wise to begin annual visits to your Urologist. I am a five year survivor of prostate cancer who had a radical prostatectomy. I continue to be tested each year and had joined a support group of other prostate cancer survivors. This is a very helpful thing to do as you can see how other men deal with the operation, recovery and ongoing life issues.
