4 surgical methods for prostate cancer

Surgery is one of the most common treatments for prostate cancer. There are four main types of surgery:

Orchiectomy

Because 95% of male androgens come from the testicles, and most prostate cancers depend on estrogen for growth, testicular removal can inhibit the production of estrogen and alleviate the condition. However, testicular removal can cause secondary adrenal cortical zona reticularis hyperplasia, resulting in hypersecretion of adrenal androgens. Therefore, this surgery is often combined with other therapies to achieve better results.

Radical prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy is mainly suitable for tumors in the prostate without invasion of the seminal vesicles and lymph nodes. Radical prostatectomy can prolong the patient's survival time. However, complications such as urinary incontinence and impotence may occur after radical prostatectomy. Preoperative and postoperative care should be done to reduce the chance of complications.

Pelvic lymph node dissection

Pelvic lymph node dissection is performed before radical surgery for the purpose of accurately staging and removing pelvic lesions, which is beneficial for postoperative radiotherapy.

Transurethral resection of the prostate

Transurethral prostatectomy is mainly suitable for the elderly or patients who cannot tolerate radical surgery. It can relieve prostate cancer from bladder neck obstruction. For patients with late-stage local lesions, this surgery can only relieve symptoms and there is no possibility of cure, but it can prevent the occurrence of uremia and improve the patient's quality of life.