Surgeons perform several types of surgery for prostate cancer. During the surgery, the surgeon removes the prostate gland. In some cases, the surgeon may also remove the lymph nodes near the prostate.

In order to be a candidate for surgery, a prostate cancer patient:

• Must be younger than 70 years old
• Must be in good health
• The prostate cancer must not have spread beyond the prostate

Types of Surgery for Prostate Cancer

• Perineal prostatectomy:
• Removal of the prostate through an incision made between the scrotum and the anus
• Retropubic prostatectomy:
• Removal of the prostate through an incision made in the lower abdomen
• Transurethral resection for prostate cancer:
• Removal of small amounts of prostate tissue using instruments inserted through the penis
• Cryosurgery for prostate cancer:
• Surgical procedure that uses very low temperatures to freeze and kill cancer cells
• Surgical castration for prostate cancer:
• Removal of the testicles, in order to stop the production of testosterone, which stimulates prostate cancer cells