Prostate Cancer Surgery: What You Should Know

Prostate cancer transpires when abnormal cells start developing in the prostate of men. These abnormal cells can grow uncontrollably and gradually spread to distant and nearby parts of the body.

The symptoms of prostate cancer do not show up in the initial stage. However, the most common signs (if they appear) include the following-

• Frequent urge to urinate

• Blood in the semen or urine

• Slower than normal urine stream

• Urinary retention

• Pain in the bones, pelvic region, back or chest

Prostate cancer, usually, grows at a slow rate and the majority of men with second-rate prostate cancer live for many years without the symptoms spreading or becoming fatal. Nevertheless, an aggressive form of the disease that spreads rapidly can be life-threatening.

Stages of Prostate Cancer

• Stage-I - When an imaging test or a physical examination is unable to detect the tumour. This means the cancer is confined to the prostate and has not spread beyond.

• Stage-II – The cancer cells in this stage have the potential to expand quickly.

• Stage-III – Cancer has now spread to the nearby seminal vesicles, beyond the prostate.

• Stage-IV – This is the final stage of the disease and refers to when the tumour has spread to other body parts, including lungs, lymph nodes, liver, bladder, or bones.

Is Surgery the Right Form of Treatment for Early Prostate Cancer?

Nine out of 10 men with prostate cancer today have tumours detected in the early stages - I or II. If you too have recently been diagnosed, you may think that the best way to stop the disease is to undergo surgery. However, medical professionals believe that surgery should not be the first line of treatment for early prostate cancer.

Surgery for prostate cancer (prostatectomy) involves several complications- urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunctions to name a few. Moreover, undergoing surgery puts a lot of mental pressure on the patients. The risks of infection and scarring cannot be ruled out. Therefore, oncologists suggest, that the initial treatment method should be limited to lifestyle changes, therapies, and medications.

Early detection and treatment are the key to a positive outcome. However, the final decision should be your doctor’s. Depending on the size and location of the cancer, he or she will be able to prescribe the right line of treatment.