When patients are diagnosed with prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia, radical prostatectomy is performed to remove the prostate gland and the surrounding tissue. The surgery to remove prostate cancer is one of the standard procedures in men whose cancer has spread to their bodies’ surrounding area. The procedure is considered a significant operation for men who have not any health issues. Before undergoing surgery, the doctor first would make sure that cancer has moved outside the prostate.

Furthermore, the prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut which is surrounded by the urethra (a tube that carries urine outside of the body), and it is part of the male productive system. The primary function of the prostate is to produce a fluid that let semen to remain alive as it contains nutrition.

When men reach orgasm, the prostate muscles assist with the movement of the prostate fluid into the urethra and will be ejected along with the sperm during ejaculation. The goal of the radical prostatectomy or any other different types is to remove the prostate cancer altogether.

During the operation, the prostate gland and tissue that are surrounding it will be removed. Moreover, there are several reasons that patients may need to have radical prostatectomy:

• Being unable to empty the bladder fully
• Bleeding from the prostate
• Enlarged prostate
• Balder stone
• Slow urination
• Excessive pressure on the kidney due to urinary retention.

Some weeks before undergoing surgery, the doctor will give patients a complete instruction and explain the whole procedure.

• The doctor will perform a physical examination to ensure that the patient is in good health.
• Patients are required to fast eight hours before undergoing radical prostatectomy.
• Patients will be advised and examined if they have any allergic reaction to any medication.
• Prior to the operation, patients should stop smoking because it significantly helps with the recovery.

Radical prostatectomy is a serious surgery that needs hospitalization. Also, based on the severity of the patient’s condition, the surgery may vary. Below some of the types of radical prostatectomy will be explained:

• Radical retropubic prostatectomy: One of the conventional surgical approaches that in addition to the removal of the prostate gland, cancerous lymph nodes around the prostate will also be removed. 
• Nerve-sparing prostatectomy: In some patients, cancer may even affect the function of the nerves, which compels the surgeon to remove the cancerous tissue. The only downside of this procedure is the inability to have a functional erection. However, if only one side of the nerves is cut down, the penile erection would be less severe.
• Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: The procedure was introduced in the 1990s. Several small cuts will be made to treat prostate bladder by inserting a long tube (laparoscope).
• Radical prostatectomy with the perineal approach: Generally, in this procedure, there is shorter recovery time. The method is mostly advised if the nerve-sparing approach is not required.

• Patients should keep the surgical site clean and dry.
• Patients should refrain from driving.
• In some patients, there may be urine leakage after the removal of the catheter, which will go away after some time.

Hospitals and clinics in Iran have always been an integral part of the flourishing of the Iran health care system due to the steps that have been taken to provide the highest equipment and technologies. Around the world prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men above 50, and in Iran, it is the sixth most common cancer. Therefore, Iranian surgeons, in recent years, have scrutinized various surgical methods to provide the patients with the best practice that suits their health goals. As a result, both Iranian and foreign patients can feel confident that they receive the best choice of treatment.