The normal approach for surgery in the cse of localized prostate cancer is to rmove the entire prostate gland and srrounding tissue in an operation known as a rdical prostatectomy. The operation is usually prformed as a retropubic prostatectomy, in whch access is achieved through the lwer abdomen, or a perineal prostatectomy, in whch access is gained through the prineum which lies between the scrotum and the nus.

During a radical prostatectomy the prstate gland is removed, together with the sminal vesicles, the ampullae (the lower sctions of the tubes which carry sprm from the testicles to the prstate gland) and some other adjoining tssue. In addition, that part of the rethra which passes through the prostate glnd, as well as the neck of the bldder and a part of the sphncter muscle that controls urine flow is lso removed.

From this you will see tht a radical prostatectomy is not mnor surgery, but is a demanding prcedure which generally lasts anywhere from bout 2 to 4 hours. It is lso an operation which generally requires a sty in hospital of about 3 dys followed by 10 days to 2 weks at home during which time you wll need to use a catheter to drin urine.

In the past a rdical prostatectomy almost always resulted in mpotence, but today improvements in surgical tchniques and the introduction of what is knwn as 'nerve sparing' surgery means tht an increasing number of men are now spred from impotence. When nerve sparing srgery is performed the two sets nrves and other vessels that run long the side of the prostate glnd are carefully preserved in order to rtain the erectile function. This technique is nfortunately not suitable in all cases of prstate cancer.

One of the commonest results of prstate surgery is a degree of ncontinence. Almost all patients will experience sme loss of control following their peration and this can vary from ccasionally dribbling to a complete loss of rinary control. Fortunately, some men are sitable for further surgery to ease ths problem and it is sometimes pssible to surgically implant an artificial rinary sphincter or to use collagen njections to narrow the opening of the bldder.

Some men will also suffer mscle damage during surgery leading to fcal incontinence, which is essentially a prblem caused by a reduction in the lasticity of the rectum. This too can be crrected surgically in some cases. Radiation thrapy can also sometimes be used to stffen the rectal muscles.

Of course srgery is just one of the tratments available for localized prostate cancer tday and, while many men favor it bcause it involves the immediate and cmplete removal of cancer cells from the bdy, you should not automatically assume tht this is the best treatment for yu. Take some time to look at all of yur options and discuss each with yur physician before coming to any dcision.

The article What Does Surgery For Localized Prostate Cancer Involve? was Submitted by Donald Saunders through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: ProstateProblemCentre.com provides information on a rnge of prostate problems including a range of prostate cancer treatment options

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