Surgical Management of Prostate Cancer

 Prostate is a walnut shaped gland located below the urinary bladder in men. This gland is responsible for the nourishment and transportation of sperm. However, with age, it starts creating issues in the urinary system. Sometimes this disorder turns into prostate cancer.  Although, to correct prostate concerns, home remedies and oral medications are the foremost consideration. But, prostate cancer management relies heavily on surgical intervention.  

In this blog post, we will delve into the surgical management of prostate cancer, exploring the various techniques and advancements that have transformed the landscape of prostate cancer treatment. Considering making the blog a useful guide for prostate cancer’s sufferers, inputs have been taken from urologists who specialise in Prostate Cancer Surgery in Delhi. 

Prostate Cancer Surgery

As the name indicates, Prostate Cancer Surgery is a surgical procedure to remove the cancer affected prostate gland from the body.  

The Need of Surgical Intervention

The surgical procedure of prostate cancer is often recommended to patients depending upon factors such as:

• The stage of cancer

• The patient's overall health

• Treatment preferences

This surgical procedure primarily aims to remove the cancerous tissue while preserving urinary and sexual function to the greatest extent possible. This has led to the development of several surgical approaches, each with its own benefits and considerations.

Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Examination of prostate cancer includes:

• Digital Rectal Examination to determine the hardness of the gland

• PSA Test to identify the size of the gland. 

• Trans-rectal ultrasound, if hardness and size of gland is increased than the normal

• Biopsy to confirm the cancer of prostate

• PSMA PET scan to learn about the degree of prostate cancer  

 

Procedure of Prostate Cancer Surgery

The most extensively used surgical method for treating prostate cancer is radical prostatectomy. In order to access the prostate gland using this method, a sizable incision is made in the lower abdomen. Thereby the prostate gland and infected lymph nodes get  removed. After that radiation, hormone balancing therapy and chemotherapy is processed. 

Post Operative Care  

After the radical prostatectomy post-operative care is crucial to ensure a successful recovery and reduce risks of complications. The main components of postoperative care may include:

• Monitoring and Observation: After surgery, patients will be closely watched in the recovery room. A meticulous evaluation of vital signs, discomfort levels, and any potential problems will take place.

• Pain Control: Sufficient pain treatment is offered to guarantee comfort. The medical staff will deliver painkillers in accordance with their recommendations.

• Care For The Urinary Catheter: While the surgical site heals, a urinary catheter will be in place to help drain urine from the bladder. There will be instructions on how to handle the drainage bag and maintain the hygiene of the catheter.

• Fluid Intake: Water intake is crucial for healing. Patients are advised to maintain a balanced fluid intake unless otherwise directed by the medical professionals.

• Exercise: Short-distance walking is a form of early mobilization that aids in the healing process and prevents blood clots.

• Dietary Advice: A nutritious, well-balanced diet is essential for recovery. However, some food limitations can be necessary, therefore patients should adhere to the advice given by their urologist.

• Hygiene: Incision sites need to be maintained dry and clean. Redness, swelling, or discharge are all indications of infection and should be reported to the doctor.

• Oral Medication: Antibiotics will be administered to patients in order to avoid infection, along with other treatments as necessary. It's crucial to follow the recommended drug schedule.

• Follow-up Appointments: Patients will have scheduled follow-up appointments with their urologist to monitor healing, discuss pathology results, and address any concerns.

• Activity Restrictions: Patients are usually advised to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities, and sexual activity for a certain period as recommended by the surgeon.

• Continence Exercises: Patients are encouraged to perform pelvic floor exercises to promote urinary continence recovery.

• Support and Education: Patients and their families will receive education about recovery, potential side effects, and strategies to manage them effectively.

• Signs of Complications: Patients should be aware of signs such as severe pain, fever, heavy bleeding, difficulty urinating, or any other unusual symptoms and seek medical attention if they occur.

Conclusion

Prostate cancer surgical management has advanced significantly from the early open procedures to the state-of-the-art minimally invasive and robotic-assisted methods used today. These developments have completely changed the medical environment, giving patients better prospects of recovery and higher standards of living. Although each surgical procedure has advantages and limitations of its own, the end objective is always the same: to successfully remove the malignancy while preserving sexual and urine function. The outlook for prostate cancer patients undergoing surgery is improving as technology and surgical knowledge develop. 

One may visit medical experts like Dr. Niren Rao, the Best Urologist in Delhi at Delhi Urology Hospital. The prostate cancer surgery cost in Delhi at this hospital through minimally invasive laparoscopic radical prostatectomy starts from 2 Lakh. TURP Surgery and Bilateral orchiectomy for advanced prostate cancer treatments cost INR 50,000 and 30,000 respectively.