Radical Prostatectomy

Radical Prostatectomy - Surgery to remove the entire prostate gland, some surrounding tissue, and seminal vesicles (glands that help produce semen). The goal of a radical (or total) prostatectomy is to treat prostate cancer through the removal of all affected organs and tissue (before the cancer spreads to other areas of the body).

There are two main types of radical prostatectomy. A radical retropubic prostatectomy involves an incision in the abdomen to remove the prostate and nearby lymph nodes if needed. This procedure may be able to help spare nerves which run along the prostate (nerve-sparing approach). A radical perineal prostatectomy involves an incision between the anus and scrotum (the perineum) to remove the prostate.

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