Prostatectomy
What is Prostatectomy?
A prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the prostate gland, typically to treat prostate cancer or severe BPH that doesn’t respond to other treatments. The prostate, located below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, plays a role in semen production, so its removal can affect urinary and sexual function. In India, prostatectomies are performed in urology departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for patients.
Why do you need Prostatectomy?
Prostatectomy is indicated for:
- Prostate cancer:
- Localized prostate cancer (stages T1–T2; 70–80% of cases are eligible for surgery).
- Incidence in India: 5–9 per 100,000 men annually; rising due to increased PSA screening.
- 5-year survival: 95–98% for localized cancer.
- Benign conditions:
- Severe BPH (enlarged prostate causing urinary obstruction; 5–10% need surgery despite medication).
- Recurrent infections or bladder stones due to BPH.
- Associated treatments:
- Lymph node dissection for cancer staging (if high-risk).
- Adjuvant therapy: Radiation or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for high-risk prostate cancer.
- Timing:
- Performed in adults (average age 60–70 years for cancer); urgency depends on diagnosis (e.g., active surveillance for low-risk cancer).
The procedure aims to remove cancerous or obstructive tissue, preserve continence and sexual function where possible, and improve quality of life, often using minimally invasive techniques to reduce recovery time.
Why Do Prostatectomy Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹1 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh:
- Procedure Type: Open/simple (₹1–1.5 lakh); laparoscopic (₹1.5–2.5 lakh); robotic (₹2–3.5 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis: ₹1.5–3.5 lakh); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS: ₹50,000–₹1 lakh, often subsidized under Ayushman Bharat).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced urologists charge more.
- Additional Costs: Anesthesia (₹10,000–₹20,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹15,000/day), pathology (₹5,000–₹10,000), medications (₹5,000–₹10,000).
- Insurance: Often covered (medical necessity); confirm with your provider.
Prostatectomy Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Assessment:
- PSA test: Elevated levels (e.g., >4 ng/mL) indicate cancer risk; used for staging.
- Biopsy: Gleason score (6–10) determines cancer aggressiveness.
- Imaging: MRI/CT to assess cancer spread; bone scan for high-risk cases.
- Blood tests: Blood sugar, clotting profile; kidney function (creatinine).
- Preparation: Stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior if safe; discuss erectile function expectations.
- Consent: Risks, including incontinence, are explained.
- Assessment:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Prostatectomy:
- Performed under general or spinal anesthesia, lasting 2–4 hours.
- Types:
- Radical prostatectomy: Removes entire prostate, seminal vesicles, and surrounding tissue; for cancer.
- Simple prostatectomy: Removes inner part of prostate; for severe BPH (not cancer).
- Approaches:
- Open radical prostatectomy: Incision (8–12 cm) in lower abdomen (retropubic) or perineum.
- Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: 4–5 small incisions (5–10 mm); camera and instruments used.
- Robotic-assisted (e.g., da Vinci): Most common for radical; similar to laparoscopic but with robotic precision.
- Transurethral resection (TURP, for BPH): Not a true prostatectomy; removes prostate tissue via urethra.
- Process:
- Prostate isolated; urethra and bladder neck preserved for continence.
- Nerve-sparing (if possible): Preserves erectile function (bilateral or unilateral, depending on cancer extent).
- Lymph nodes sampled (if high-risk cancer); prostate removed.
- Reconstruction: Bladder neck anastomosed to urethra; catheter placed for 1–2 weeks.
- Closure: Sutures for laparoscopic/robotic; sutures/staples for open; drain placed.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Robotic system: Enhances precision (e.g., nerve-sparing).
- Endoscopic clips: Secures vessels.
- Catheter: Maintains urinary drainage post-op.
- Prostatectomy:
- After Surgery:
- Hospital stay: 1–3 days (robotic/laparoscopic); 3–5 days (open).
- Care: Catheter removed in 1–2 weeks; pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) to improve continence.
- Pain management: Mild to moderate pain for 3–5 days; managed with painkillers (e.g., paracetamol).
- Instructions: Avoid heavy lifting for 6–8 weeks; monitor for urinary control and erectile function.
Recovery After Prostatectomy
- Hospital Stay: 1–3 days (robotic/laparoscopic); 3–5 days (open).
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain/Swelling: Mild to moderate pain for 3–5 days; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
- Catheter: Removed in 1–2 weeks; mild leakage common initially.
- Continence: 80–90% regain full control in 3–6 months; Kegels help.
- Erectile function: 50–70% recover (nerve-sparing); may take 6–18 months; medications (e.g., sildenafil) assist.
- Activity: Avoid strenuous activity for 6–8 weeks; light activities in 1–2 weeks.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 week (check healing), 2 weeks (catheter removal), and every 3 months for 2 years (cancer recurrence risk).
- PSA test: Every 3–6 months; should be undetectable (<0.1 ng/mL) post-op.
Most resume normal activities in 3–4 weeks (robotic) or 4–6 weeks (open); full recovery takes 6–12 months (continence/erectile function). Success rate: 5-year survival for localized prostate cancer is 95–98%; biochemical recurrence (PSA rise) in 10–20% within 5 years.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding (2–5%): Hematoma near site; may need transfusion.
- Infection (1–3%): At incision site or UTI; treated with antibiotics.
- Anesthesia risks (<1%): Reaction to anesthesia; rare in healthy patients.
- Post-Surgery:
- Urinary incontinence (5–20%): Temporary leakage; 5–10% long-term; managed with pads or surgery.
- Erectile dysfunction (30–50%): Worse if non-nerve-sparing; managed with medications or devices.
- Urethral stricture (1–3%): Narrowing at anastomosis; may need dilation.
- Lymphocele (1–3%, with lymph node dissection): Fluid collection; may need drainage.
- Long-Term:
- Recurrence (10–20%): PSA rise indicates cancer return; may need radiation or ADT.
- Bladder neck contracture (1–2%): Scarring at bladder-urethra junction; may need surgery.
Report fever, severe pain, heavy bleeding, or inability to urinate promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes the need for prostatectomy?
Prostate cancer (most common), severe BPH, or complications like recurrent infections or bladder stones.
Can I avoid prostatectomy?
Yes, if low-risk cancer: Active surveillance or radiation; surgery needed for intermediate/high-risk cancer or severe BPH.
Is prostatectomy painful?
Mild to moderate pain for 3–5 days, managed with medication; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
How soon can I resume normal activities?
Light activities: 1–2 weeks; full recovery: 6–12 months (continence/erectile function); avoid strenuous activity for 6–8 weeks.
Is prostatectomy covered by insurance in India?
Often covered (medical necessity); confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat often subsidizes.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, heavy bleeding, or inability to urinate.
Will I regain urinary control and sexual function?
Yes, in most cases: 80–90% regain continence in 3–6 months; 50–70% regain erectile function in 6–18 months (nerve-sparing).
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Pelvic floor exercises, monitor PSA, manage erectile dysfunction, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
Prostatectomy is a safe and effective procedure for treating prostate cancer and severe BPH, with high survival rates for localized cancer and manageable recovery. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable care, often covered by insurance. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach surgery confidently. Consult a urologist for personalized guidance.
Looking for Best Hospitals for prostatectomy
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Ahmedabad |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Ajmer |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Aligarh |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Allahabad |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Amritsar |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Aurangabad |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bangalore |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Bareilly |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Belgaum |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bhopal |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bikaner |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Chandigarh |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Chennai |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Coimbatore |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Dehradun |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Delhi |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Dhanbad |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Durgapur |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Faridabad |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Ghaziabad |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Gorakhpur |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Guntur |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Gurgaon |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Guwahati |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Gwalior |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Hyderabad |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Indore |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Jabalpur |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Jaipur |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Jalandhar |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Jamshedpur |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Jodhpur |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Kanpur |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Kochi |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Kolkata |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Kollam |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Lucknow |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Ludhiana |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Madurai |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Mangalore |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Meerut |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Moradabad |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Mumbai |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Mysore |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Nagpur |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Nashik |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Noida |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Patna |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Pune |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Raipur |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Rajkot |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Ranchi |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Surat |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Thane |
1,80,000 |
5,00,000 |
Vadodara |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Varanasi |
1,50,000 |
4,50,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
1,65,000 |
4,75,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.