The Foley catheter is removed on the fourth or fifth postoperative day. Patients are informed of the option of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, with the condition that a conversion to open prostatectomy may be necessary if the entire prostate cannot be removed effectively using the laparoscopic technique. We are continuing to investigate the effect of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy on nerve preservation. Presently, the procedure is reserved for patients in whom sexual potency is not an issue. In the future, with further technique refinement and development, we anticipate offering laparoscopic prostatectomy as a nerve-sparing procedure.
Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken orally or injected into a vein. Chemotherapy is usually a systemic treatment, meaning the drugs enter the bloodstream, travel through the body and can kill cancer cells anywhere in the body. Hormone therapy alters the body's hormone balance to prevent certain cancers from growing. This may be accomplished with drugs that alter the way hormones work or with surgery that removes hormone-producing organs such as the testes.