Ed Rowe and David Gillatt are two of the highest volume surgeons in the UK and Europe. Each perform over 100 operations for prostate cancer each year, and over 30 bladder removal operations.These are largely performed robotically which can speed the recovery and reduce infection risk. For example over 80% of men undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy go home the day after surgery.
Both surgeons are able to offer rapid access to the latest diagnostic tests such as MRI and transperineal biopsy for prostate cancer.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
The first symptoms of prostate cancer that are noticed are after the prostate has grown large enough to put pressure on the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body which the prostate surrounds. These can include:
- More frequent need to urinate, particularly during the night
- Difficulty urinating
- A weak flow
- A feeling that your bladder has not been fully emptied after urinating
- Bone pain
- Back pain
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Often only observation will be necessary, and treatment is only recommended if the tumour shows signs of growing worse or causing symptoms. A multi-disciplinary team (MDT) of specialists consisting of a cancer surgeon, an oncologist, a chemotherapy specialist, a radiologist, pathologist, radiographer and a specialist nurse will provide ongoing treatment and assessment of the cancer. Some common treatment options are described below:
Radical prostatectomy, the surgical removal of your prostate gland. This treatment is a good option for treating localised prostate cancer and locally-advanced prostate cancer.
Trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP), a thin metal wire with a loop is placed into the urethra, and pieces of the prostate are then removed. This relieves pressure from the urethra, reducing many common symptoms.
Cryotherapy, cancer cells are killed by freezing them. This can be used in early stages of prostate cancer.
Radiotherapy, high energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells.
Brachytherapy, a form of radiotherapy where the radiation is delivered inside the prostate gland, reducing the damage to surrounding tissues. The radiation is delivered using a number of radioactive seeds that are inserted through thin needles placed directly inside the prostate.
Chemotherapy, where drugs are used to stop or slow the growth of the tumour.
