Treatment for prostate cancer
Surgery is one of the main treatments for prostate cancer.
You usually have an operation to remove your prostate gland to try to cure your cancer. This is called radical prostatectomy. You can have a radical prostatectomy during open surgery or by using a robotic system (also called Da Vinci surgery).
Surgery to remove your prostate gland is called radical prostatectomy. Most people in the UK have robotic assisted keyhole surgery.
Before your operation, you have tests to check your fitness and you meet members of your treatment team.
You normally go into hospital on the day of your surgery. Sometimes you may go in the night before. This depends on the hospital.
It takes a few weeks for you to recover after a prostate cancer operation. You usually spend only one night in the hospital. Give yourself time to recover once you are home.
There is a risk of problems or complications after any operation. Problems after a prostatectomy include difficulty getting an erection and leaking urine.
Last reviewed: 18 Jun 2025
Next review due: 18 Jun 2028
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