Using Technology to Get You Healthier

Prostate cancer surgery is essential to prevent the spread of the disease. Removing cancerous tissue can also relieve some of the symptoms associated with prostate enlargement, such as trouble passing urine or needing to urinate frequently.

Open prostate surgery means cutting into the prostate to remove diseased tissue. Laser prostate cancer surgery is a modern alternative that uses a laser to trim away tissue that has been taken over or damaged by the cancer. Laser surgery has several advantages over the traditional method. Here are a few reasons to opt for laser prostate cancer surgery.

1. Quicker Recovery

Recovering from traditional prostate cancer surgery takes a little while. The incision made to allow the surgeon to access the prostate needs to heal, a process that is sometimes complicated by infection.

In contrast, the recovery period following laser surgery is usually much shorter. Laser prostate surgery does not involve an incision, so the infection risk is lower and most patients can get back to their usual daily activities very quickly.

2. Reduced Risk of Excessive Bleeding

Excessive bleeding is one risk associated with traditional prostate surgery. This risk is most important for people who take blood thinners, which prevent blood from clotting normally. It's also a serious concern for those who have haemophilia, a bleeding disorder.

As laser prostate cancer surgery does not involve cutting into the prostate, the risk of bleeding is much lower. As a result, it is much safer for people who are at high risk of excessive bleeding following traditional surgery.

3. No Need to Stay in Hospital

Most people who have laser prostate cancer surgery can typically go home the same day, rather than staying overnight in hospital. Recovering at home is better for most people, as the familiar home environment is usually much more comfortable and peaceful. You can contact a doctor on your care team if you do develop complications during recovery, but these are very rare.

4. Most Don't Need Catheters

A catheter is a tube that passes through the penis into the bladder to allow urine to drain out. Many patients need to use a catheter during recovery from traditional prostate cancer surgery, as inflammation in the prostate can prevent normal urination during the healing period. In contrast, catheters are unnecessary for most people who have laser prostate cancer surgery. Catheter usage can cause temporary irritation to the penis, so most people are keen to avoid it.