The recovery timeline after prostate cancer surgery depends on the function a person undergoes and other factors . A mortal may have to appease in the infirmary for a few days , come after by several weeks of at - home recovery .
Robotic prostatectomy is the most mutual operative procedure to treat prostate gland cancer . During this procedure , a surgeon utilise a mastery jury to maneuver robotic arms that operate through small incision in the abdomen or perineum . The surgeon removes the prostate and some surrounding tissue .
Open prostatectomy , in which a sawbones run through a orotund incision and removes the prostate without robotic assistance , is less uncouth . This routine may take a longer recovery prison term than robotic prostatectomy .
How long does prostate cancer surgery recovery take?
The recuperation time forprostate cancer surgerymay vary depending on multiple cistron , such as the type of procedure .
robotlike and receptive prostatectomies are type ofradical prostatectomy , themain formof surgery to treat prostate cancer . Prostatectomy involves remove the entire prostate gland and some fence tissue . Sometimes , a surgeon will also remove nearby lymph nodes .
Robotic prostatectomy is the most common surgical treatment forprostate cancer . This is because it has potential benefit such as a shorter infirmary stay and a lower risk of side upshot , including pain , after the operation .
concord to Cancer Research UK , recovery from surgery to treat prostate malignant neoplastic disease can take6 to 8 weeks . However , the American Cancer Society suggests that retrieval from a robotic procedure istypically fasterthan recuperation from open surgery .
Recovery from certain side burden of surgical operation , such asincontinence , may take several weeks or months . Erectile dysfunctionis another possible side effect that may ask a longer recovery — anywhere from a few month to 2 years or more .
However , doctor may be able to process some potential side effect , and many treatment alternative are usable .
Initial recovery after prostate cancer surgery
masses typically remain in the hospital for afew daysafter a radical prostatectomy . A mortal can usually exit the hospital2 to 4 daysafter an opened prostatectomy and within 1 to 2 days after a robotic prostatectomy .
When a soul inflame up after surgery , aurinary catheterwill be in place . This is a tube a healthcare professional cut-in through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine .
The catheter typically stay in for1 to 2 weeksafter surgery . A healthcare master will explain how to care for it at home plate .
A person will need an intravenous ( IV ) drip mold to deliver fluid through a nervure in the limb . They might also have a wound waste pipe , which is a small subway to murder pedigree and fluid from the surgical area . A healthcare professional person typically removes these within a few days after operating theatre .
While a person is recuperate in the hospital , they will receive infliction relievers , usually through an IV drip . Healthcare professionals will discuss medication to manage pain once a person is quick to go home .
Healthcare professionals will also help a person get up and move around as before long as possible after the procedure . People cantypicallywalk around the day after surgery .
Before a someone leaves the hospital , a health care professional will give them entropy about wound care and at - home recovery .
Short-term recovery from prostate cancer surgery
During the first few workweek of recovery from a radical prostatectomy , a person may feel tired and experience some pain . Slowly increase activity levels and taking any bother medicament a healthcare professional prescribes will help reduce pain .
A person can usually return to their distinctive bodily function within6 to 8 workweek . However , until then , they may need assistance around their abode .
Before a person go away the infirmary , their healthcare team will provide info about their short - term recuperation , including education on the following facial expression .
Catheter care and removal
A health care professional will show a person how to attend after their catheter and how to reduce the hazard of infection .
Within1 to 2 weeksof a radical prostatectomy , a health care professional will remove the catheter . People who undergo robotic prostatectomy may want a catheter for a short period than those who have open surgical operation .
multitude may experience urine leak for about2 daysand pass line of descent in their urine for several hebdomad after the catheter removal .
Wound care
A personmay haveseveral small wound from robotic prostatectomy incisions or one magnanimous incision wound from an candid prostatectomy .
A healthcare professional will change the dressings and clean the wounds in the hospital . They will also teach the somebody on how and when to do the same at home .
Some people may require to return to the hospital for stitch or cut short removal after a week or so .
Side effects
hoi polloi may experience side effect in the hebdomad and month after operating theater . Themain side effectsare incontinence and erectile dysfunction . These effects may improve on their own over time , or a physician may be able to process them .
A medico may schedule follow - up visits to supervise a individual ’s healing and to performprostate - specific antigen ( PSA ) testsand other psychometric test to match for signs of cancer recurrence .
Long-term recovery from prostate cancer surgery
mass cantypicallyreturn to their usual activities in the months after a ultra prostatectomy . Some multitude may keep on to experience fatigue and some side effects of surgery .
If necessary , a doctor may prescribe medicinal drug or other types of therapy to treat possible side effects that can last beyond the 6 - to-8 - week recuperation .
Urinary incontinence
In a 2023 study , more than 26%of people who had a radical prostatectomy experienced urinary incontinence . If a mortal has this symptom and their bladder control does not ameliorate within a few months , treatmentmay involve :
Erectile dysfunction
In the same study , more than 61%of mass experienced erectile disfunction after OR . This side effect may persevere for anywhere fromseveral weeksto 2 years or more . It is also potential that erectile dysfunction may be permanent .
Several treatments are available for erectile disfunction , include :
Cancer recurrence
A soul may have follow - up visit with their doctorevery 3 monthsfor the first year after operating room , and then every 6 month for the next 2 yr . A doctor may schedule even PSA test beginning6 to 8 weeksafter the surgery .
If the Crab generate after surgery , a physician may recommend other types of treatment , such as :
How to speed up recovery
Recovery can depend on component such as the type of procedure a person undergoes , the person ’s age , and their overall health . A person may be able to aid their convalescence along by followingthese recommendation :
What to avoid during recovery
A individual ’s healthcare team may advocate obviate the following during retrieval from a ultra prostatectomy :
When to contact a doctor
A person who has recently had surgical operation for prostate cancer should contact a medico if they :
A somebody can discuss any other concern or issues with their doctor during follow - up appointments .
Prostate cancer resources
Visit our consecrated hub for more research - backed information and in - depth resource onprostate cancer .
Summary
extremist prostatectomy is the main type of surgery for prostate Crab . The procedure may be an capable prostatectomy or a robotic prostatectomy . Robotic prostatectomy is the more common type . In both types , a surgeon remove the total prostate gland and some surrounding tissue .
multitude can typically resume their usual activities 6 to 8 weeks after a radical prostatectomy . However , some potential side effect , such as urinary incontinence and erectile disfunction , can last for several week , months , or years .
If side effects do not resolve on their own , doctor may be able-bodied to handle them or help a person manage them .
