Radical Prostatectomy

Overview

Radical prostatectomy is surgery to remove the prostate gland and surrounding lymph nodes. This surgery is offered as a treatment for men with prostate cancer. A surgeon can perform a radical prostatectomy using different techniques, including:

• Open radical prostatectomy. The surgeon makes an incision in your lower abdomen to remove the prostate. Rarely, this incision is made between your anus and scrotum (perineal surgery).
• Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The surgeon makes several small incisions in your lower abdomen to manually remove the prostate.
• Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The surgeon makes several small incisions in your lower abdomen to remove the prostate. He or she sits at a console, using instruments attached to a mechanical device (robot).

Your surgical team will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, as well as your preferences, to determine which approach is best for you.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for radical prostatectomy

• Expertise. Mayo Clinic prostate specialists are leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate conditions. Mayo Clinic urologists have performed thousands of radical prostatectomy procedures over several decades. One goal, whenever possible, is to spare the nerves during the procedure to help maintain erectile function and reduce the chances of urinary problems, such as leakage.
• Experience. Research suggests that outcomes for people following surgery are directly linked to the number of surgeries performed. Thus Mayo's high-volume practice helps ensure the highest level of care.
• Newest technology. Mayo Clinic surgeons are leaders in robotic laparoscopic surgery. Using instruments attached to a robot during laparoscopic surgery helps the surgeon make more precise movements with surgical tools than is possible with traditional laparoscopic surgery.
• Latest research. Investigators are actively involved in research on long-term outcomes after radical prostatectomy. Since the 1960s, Mayo Clinic has been compiling a database from records of men who have had prostate cancer surgery. This database helps doctors and researchers track treatments and outcomes, and helps them develop techniques that offer you the best chance of cancer cure and quality of life.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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