What is the connection between prostatectomy and impotence?
radical prostatectomy is an invasive surgery that removes the whole or part of the prostate and often the surrounding tissue. It is related to prostatectomy and impotence, because cavernous nerves of the penis that control erections, take place next to the prostate and are often damaged or destroyed during surgery. This cave nerve damage leads to the inability to achieve or maintain an erection.
Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. It is also the second leading cause of cancer -related death in men around the world. However, in timely detection, prostate cancer can be treated and cured. The most commonly used treatment include surgery or radical prostatectomy. Men who undergo prostatectomy have a very high chance of survival at least 15 years, but the procedure is often accompanied by unpleasant side effects such as incontinence and impotence.
The most common surgery for prostate cancer isradical retropubic prostatectomy in which the cut is made in the abdomen and the prostate is removed from behind the protective. Another surgical technique is radical perineal prostatectomy. This includes a cut between the rectum and the scrotum base. In this technique, the cut is smaller and there are less blood, but the surgeon's ability to save the surrounding nerves is limited. The level of success of radical prostatectomy depends on how soon cancer is detected, and may be about 98 percent if cancer is limited to prostate or 30-80 percent if cancer spreads to the surrounding tissues.
The connection between prostatectomy and impotence can be minimized by nervous surgery. Patients who have prostate cancer that are unlikely to expand to prostate is often offered to reduce or eliminate postoperative incontinence and impotence. Success of prostatectomy saving nerves is very dependent on the skill and experience of the surgeon, age and previously existing sexual functionand patient.
erectile dysfunction associated with prostate surgery can be temporary, but recovery to normal sexual function is slow. Most surgeons will not say that patients sometimes achieve the erectile function they had before the operation. It may take 18-24 months after surgery before the patient experiences an erection. A significant percentage of men are experiencing permanent impotence.
Impotence only concerns the inability to achieve an erection that is sufficiently strict to have sexual intercourse. The connection between prostatectomy and impotence does not affect the feeling in the penis or the ability to have orgasm and experience sexual pleasure. Orgasms after prostatectomy are likely to be dry or without ejaculation. This is because the prostate and seed vesicles that produce ejaculation fluid are removed during the prostatectomy.
Therapy and drugs for the problem of postoperative erectile dysfunction include medicines, penis injections, vacuum devices and penis implants. These therapies are limited and can be uncomfortable. It is recommended, abY The couples participated in postoperative counseling to adapt to their new situation.
Brachytherapy is a newer treatment of prostate cancer, which completely avoids the problem of prostatectomy and impotence. It is also known as internal radiation therapy. In brachytherapy there are radiation or seeds inside or next to the prostate. This provides a very high dose of localized radiation into the target area and at the same time saves the surrounding tissue. Brachytherapy is an increasingly popular treatment for prostate cancer in men who have cancer that have not spread behind the prostate.
The problem of impotence is eliminated from the prostate and the surrounding tissues are not removed and there will be no damage to cavernous penis nerves. Men who are afraid of prostatectomy and impotence should ask their doctor for brachytherapy. No single treatment or combination of prostate cancer treatment is suitable for everyone. Patients should discuss their specific situation with their doctors to determine the right procedure.