A prostatectomy is a surgical procedure for the partial or complete removal of the prostate. It may be performed to treat prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate gland enlargement.
Who Would Benefit from a Prostatectomy?
There are two conditions that can be treated by a prostatectomy:
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
The enlargement of the prostate that can interfere with the quality of life by causing bothersome urinary symptoms, such as incontinence and difficulty urinating. BPH symptoms include the following:
- Incontinence
- Waking to urinate during the night frequently (two or more times)
- Feeling like your bladder is not empty even after urinating
- Difficulty urinating
Prostate Cancer
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, prostate cancer specialists at Rush will work with you to determine your treatment plan, which may include a prostatectomy. While there are typically no symptoms in its early stages, some signs of prostate cancer can include the following:
- Blood in the urine
- Difficulty having an erection
- Frequent pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
- Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
- Pain and difficulty urinating
- Weak flow of urine and urine flow that starts and stops
Having these symptoms does not mean you have BPH or prostate cancer. Other conditions have similar symptoms. Your doctor can help you determine the root of your problem and if a prostatectomy is the recommended treatment.
Prostatectomy at Rush
Your doctors at Rush will discuss your options and work with you to determine the best surgical choice.
We offer robotic-assisted prostate surgery. This procedure gives your urologist additional precision to spare vital nerves and reduce the most common prostate treatment side effects of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Robotic surgery leaves six one-centimeter incisions on the abdomen.
Meet our prostate removal (prostatectomy) providers
Rush Excellence in Prostatectomy
- Expertise in minimally invasive surgery: Rush University Medical Center was one of the first hospitals in Chicago to use the da Vinci Surgical System for robotic prostatectomy. Our specially-trained experts have treated more than 1,000 prostate cancer patients with this advanced surgical technology, which offers a minimally invasive alternative to open prostate surgery.
- Nationally ranked excellence: U.S. News & World Report ranks the urology program at Rush University Medical Center among the best in the nation.
- Minimized side effects of treatments: The minimaly invasive approaches to prostatectomy, including robotic and laparoscopic techniques, reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction and incontinence that can occur with open prostatectomy. It also minimizes your pain and shortens your hospital stay
- Follow-up care where — and when — you need it: After your prostate cancer surgery, you will need follow-up care. For your convenience, you can receive your follow-up care at a location close to you including Chicago, Oak Park and Aurora/Fox Valley.