Radical prostatectomy is an option when prostate cancer is localized to the prostate gland.
The goal is to remove the cancer completely before it has a chance to spread from the prostate to other parts of the body. Radical prostatectomy is a particularly effective treatment for men with Gleason scores below 7 and whose cancers are confined to the prostate or have penetrated the capsule but not spread to the seminal vesicles. A recent study of over 1300 men undergoing radical prostatectomy was conducted to determine their status five years after surgery. Appropriate Candidates for Radical Prostatectomy Men whose cancer is believed confined to the prostate. Men who can safely undergo an operation requiring general anesthesia.