Prostatectomy (a surgery that removes the entire prostate) is one of the most common treatments for prostate cancer. If your doctor has recommended this surgery, you may have many questions, including:

• What does the surgery entail?
• Will I need more treatment after surgery?

As one of the most experienced prostate cancer treatment centers in the world, The Johns Hopkins Hospital’s dedicated urology team performed nearly 600 robotic prostatectomy procedures in 2015. Here’s what Johns Hopkins urologist Mohamad Allaf, M.D., wants you to know

Prostatectomy: Advanced Techniques

Refined techniques have changed the way doctors today perform prostate surgery. These techniques result in a smaller chance of bleeding and fewer complications during surgery.

It can also translate into fewer side effects after surgery, such as:

• Urinary incontinence
• Erectile dysfunction

Prostatectomy Approaches

At Johns Hopkins, our surgeons perform prostatectomies with two different approaches:

• The Robotic approach (called robotic prostatectomy) uses robotic technology to mimic the surgeon’s movements. This surgery requires multiple tiny incisions. It also offers more precision, as it lets your doctor see the prostate in 3-D and magnifies everything 10 times.
• The Open approach is more traditional and involves an incision below the patient’s navel.

After Prostatectomy: More Treatment Needed?

You may be wondering whether you’ll need further cancer treatment after a prostatectomy.

Your doctor will call with the final pathology report shortly after surgery. These results will help guide any further treatment-related decisions. While each individual is different, many men do not need any more treatment after a prostate removal.