Once cancer is confirmed, there are various choices to be made about prostate cancer surgery. Of course all patients will want to research each possibility in detail. However, what other steps can be taken to decide on the type of prostate cancer surgery which is optimal and to decide between risks and potential outcomes?
It is important for those with cancer to ask their doctors about the specifics of each type of prostate cancer surgery. The basics of the various surgeries are listed below but the actual probability of a particular technique being useful depends on the stage of cancer found. For those facing prostate cancer surgery, here are some of the possibilities and what can be expected:
For best results during surgery, most patients should receive this treatment as soon as possible after being diagnosed, preferably while theirs is still an early stage cancer. This means that the cancer is (hopefully) still in the prostate, has not spread, reached the bones or affected the health of patients in any significant way. Age and underlying health conditions also have to be considered. A heavy smoker who also has trouble breathing will not have the same risk factors as a person with early stage prostate cancer but is otherwise in good health.
Although it is impossible to describe every type of prostate cancer surgery in detail in this article, the main choices include prostatectomies, cyrosurgeries, specialized radiation, ultrasound and lymphadenectomies. In a prostatectomy, the prostate gland and nearby areas may be taken out. If the lymph nodes have been affected, they may be removed as well. A hospital stay of several days is usually required. The good news? There is a very high recovery rate with this form of prostate cancer surgery, especially if used in early stage cancer. After this surgery, there may be a scan to determine if radiation therapy is needed.
Minimally invasive surgery may be an option as well and sometimes a watchful approach is taken, delaying surgery a bit. Cyosurgery is one type of less invasive surgery. With this technique, cancer cells are frozen. The risks and side effects are fewer and it is generally considered a preferable alternative to radiation. A hospital stay may not even be required. It has a very high cure rate, with over 95% of patients being cancer free for a year and many still without cancer after many years. This makes cryosurgery an excellent choice for some patients facing prostate cancer surgery. As noted, there are many other choices, including radiation, special ultrasounds and perhaps a lymphadenectomy.
No matter what type of surgery is chosen, patients should be sure to get information from their doctor. Questions should be asked and patients should not be intimidated or fearful of taking up the doctor’s time because their health and welfare depends on getting the proper information. If possible, get a second opinion. If they differ greatly, patients need to make sure that they understand each type of surgery and why the physicians thinks this is the best choice.
Ultimately, the patient has to feel comfortable with their choice and confident in their physician’s abilities. At the very least, doctors should take time to discuss the expected complications and side effects of prostate cancer surgery, recovery time, rate of success, number of surgeries the doctor has performed and the type of anesthesia to be used. If prostate cancer surgery options are limited by health insurance company plans, patients may want to find an experienced doctor who will perform the best surgery and still meet insurance requirements.