What should you know about prostate cancer operation procedure?

The operation is called a prostatectomy. Depending on the plan, the surgeon may remove the prostate and nearby structures, including the seminal vesicles, and may assess or remove nearby lymph nodes. The approach can be open or minimally invasive, including robotic cancer surgery. Surgery is not the only treatment option; radiotherapy, brachytherapy, or other treatments may be considered instead of, or alongside, an operation.

Before treatment, your urology and oncology teams review biopsy findings, scans, prostate-specific information, urinary symptoms, medicines, and your overall fitness for anaesthesia. This helps them discuss whether surgery is suitable and whether nerve-sparing or lymph-node assessment should be considered.

After prostate removal, a urinary catheter commonly stays in place while the connection between the bladder and urethra heals. Temporary urinary leakage, urgency, constipation, tiredness, and discomfort can occur during recovery. Changes in erections and ejaculation are also possible because the prostate and seminal vesicles are involved in sexual function. Your team can explain which effects are expected in your situation and what support is available.

The removed tissue is examined to clarify the cancer’s features and whether further treatment or monitoring is needed. The operation does not treat unrelated causes of urinary difficulty, so new or persistent symptoms still need assessment.

Bring an up-to-date medicine list and tell the team about blood-thinning medicines, allergies, previous anaesthetic problems, and other health conditions. Follow the hospital’s instructions about fasting, bathing, bowel preparation if requested, and arranging transport and help at home.

During recovery, keep the catheter and wound areas clean as instructed, drink according to your care plan, walk gently when allowed, and avoid heavy lifting until the surgeon gives clearance. Attend catheter removal, wound review, pathology discussion, and follow-up appointments. Pelvic-floor exercises may help bladder control when taught at the appropriate time. Ask about continence support and sexual rehabilitation before discharge rather than waiting for problems to persist.

Read more about [Prostate Removal Surgery](/treatments/surgical-oncology/prostatectomy/) and [Robotic Cancer Surgery](/treatments/surgical-oncology/robotic-cancer-surgery/).

Contact your surgical team promptly if the catheter stops draining, urine becomes heavily bloody or contains large clots, the wound becomes increasingly red or swollen, or pain is not controlled by the prescribed plan. Fever, shaking chills, repeated vomiting, or feeling suddenly much worse also need prompt advice.

Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, new confusion, or one-sided leg swelling and pain. Do not wait for a routine appointment if you cannot pass urine after catheter removal. Difficulty passing urine can have several causes; the symptom alone does not establish prostate cancer.

For broader information, see [Prostate Cancer](/conditions/prostate-cancer/) and [Difficulty Passing Urine](/symptoms/difficulty-passing-urine/).

Ask which operation and surgical approach are being recommended, what the aim of surgery is, and whether nearby lymph nodes will be assessed. Ask how your existing urinary and sexual function may affect the plan, how long a catheter may be needed, and which activities should be limited.

You can also ask when pathology results will be discussed, how follow-up will monitor you, what symptoms should trigger a call, and whether radiotherapy or another treatment might be considered later. If surgery is not the preferred option, ask how radiotherapy, brachytherapy, or other treatments compare for your cancer and priorities.