The Prostatectomy or Radical Prostatectomy (RP) means by definition the surgical removal of the entire prostate gland and surrounding structures. The ".... ectomy" denotes removal. Sometimes men may have prostate surgery, in the form of a TURP (TransUrethral Resection of the Prostate), which is done by sliding a long tube through your penis, and then snipping and chipping pieces of the prostate gland. But that is not a prostatectomy, as prostate is not removed.

Depending on place the surgeon makes the incision, it can be a Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy (RRP), or a Radical Perineal Prostatectomy (RPP). Retropubic means the incision is through the lower abdominal wall, perineal means that the incision is made just behind the scrotum, up through the bottom. The RRP is the standard, but some still perform the RPP.

A radical prostatectomy is a major operation, in which the entire prostate gland, seminal vesicles, a margin of surrounding tissue, and generally any regional lymph nodes are surgically removed. The vas deferens, and epidimis are cut and ligated (tied off), the urethra is cut. The hole where the prostate was attached to the bladder is 'purse-string' stitched down to a size small enough to reattach the urethra, and it is then reconnected. This is reconnection is called an anastomosis. The operation generally removes or damages the external sphincter muscle of the bladder, as well as the nerve bundles which allow erection.

Radical prostatectomy is generally performed on prostate cancer patients, or patients with bladder cancer which has spread to that area as well. It takes an excellent surgeon to perform this operation, and even they have patients with poor outcomes.

Evie is a freelance writer interestes in issues such as prostate cancer treatment