Definition

The prostate gland is an organ at the base of the bladder in men. The tissues in the gland may need to be surgically removed or destroyed if the prostate is swollen.

Description

An enlarged prostate can cause problems urinating and urinary tract infections. These symptoms can often be relieved by removing the prostate gland. Prostate removal can be performed in a number of different ways, depending on the size of the prostate and the cause of the prostate enlargement.

The three most common procedures for removing the prostate when there is no cancer are

• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
• Laser prostatectomy
• Open prostatectomy

Turp

Transurethral resection of the prostate is the most common surgical procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Laser Prostatectomy

Laser prostatectomy uses beams of light to destroy prostate tissue. This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis and usually does not require a hospital stay.

Open Prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy

Definition

Radical prostatectomy is surgery to remove all of the prostate gland, as well as some of the tissue around it, in order to treat prostate cancer.

There are four main types of radical prostatectomy surgery

• Radical retropubic prostatectomy
• Radical perineal prostatectomy
• Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP)
• Robotic LRP