Top Things You Should Know About Prostate Cancer Surgery

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, then you might have been spending a lot of time doing your research about common prostate cancer treatments and other related topics. You might still not know very much about prostate cancer surgery, however. These are some of the top things that you'll probably want to know about prostate cancer surgery as a cancer patient yourself. If you talk to your treatment team, some of your doctors and other medical professionals should be able to give you more information about prostate cancer surgery and other treatments that might be right for you.

There Are A Few Different Types Of Surgeries

First of all, you should not assume that all prostate cancer surgeries are the same. There are actually a few different types of procedures that can be done. There are two types of open prostatectomy procedures: radical retropubic prostatectomy and radical perineal prostatectomy. These procedures refer to relatively large incisions being made so that surgery can be performed. There are also laparoscopic prostatectomies that can be done. These are done with much smaller incisions since long-handled tools are used to perform the procedure. Which type of procedure will be best for you will depend on your specific situation. Your doctor can discuss the different types of prostate cancer surgeries that can be done and will help with choosing the right procedure for you based on your health situation.

It's Typically Best To Have Surgery Done Early

As is the case with most different types of cancer treatments, it's typically best to have prostate cancer surgery done as soon as possible. Therefore, even though it's understandable that you might want to put off the procedure for a little while — such as if you're wondering if other treatments will work or if you want to learn a little more about the procedures before you have one done — you probably should not put off your surgery for too long. Your healthcare professional can help you with scheduling your procedure for the proper time.

Proper Aftercare Is Very Important

Not only is it important to be properly prepared for the surgery itself, but it's also important for you to think ahead about aftercare. As is the case with any major surgery, proper aftercare is critical when you're having prostate cancer surgery done. Make sure that you follow your doctor's instructions to greatly reduce the chances of infection and complications.

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