Surgery to remove the prostate and nearby pelvic lymph nodes is called radical prostatectomy. This treatment approach is used to treat cancer that has not spread outside of the prostate gland. The goal of a radical prostatectomy is to stop the growth of the tumor by removing the prostate.
Refined surgical techniques have lead to the development of "nerve-sparing" surgery that reduces the risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. During the surgery, the surgeon attempts to remove the cancerous tissue without damaging the two bundles of nerves that control the ability to have an erection.
There are two approaches that the surgeon may use to reach the prostate gland:
- A retropubic prostatectomy involves an incision in the lower abdomen.
- A perineal prostatectomy requires an incision in the perineum or space between the scrotum and anus. Lymph nodes may be removed though a separate small incision in the abdomen.