Approximately one in six men in the United States will develop prostate cancer during his life, according to Dr. Thomas E. Ahlering at the University of California Irvine. Men with this form of cancer may undergo a surgical procedure called radical prostatectomy to prevent the spread of cancerous cells through the body. Radical prostatectomy involves the surgical removal of the prostate gland and surrounding tissues. A man should discuss the potential complications from radical prostatectomy with a medical professional before choosing this form of prostate cancer treatment.
Urinary Difficulties
Urinary difficulties are one of the most common complications from radical prostatectomy. Affected men can have trouble voluntarily controlling urination, a complication referred to as urinary incontinence. Men may experience unusual or embarrassing urine leakage due to urinary incontinence. Certain men can also develop scar tissue along the urethra, the thin tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Scar tissue within the urethra can interfere with the flow of urine, making it difficult for men to begin urination. Urinary incontinence complications typically resolve as a man begins to heal from the radical prostatectomy. Men who can't urinate due to scar tissue buildup along the urinary tract require additional medical care to resolve this surgical complication.
Erectile Problems
Men can experience erectile problems as a complication from radical prostatectomy. Affected men can have difficulty achieving or maintaining erections during sexual stimulation, a complication called erectile dysfunction, explain health professionals with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. As a man begins to heal from surgery, he can progressively regain the ability to achieve regular erections. During this type of surgery, a surgeon will remove both the prostate and the seminal vesicles. Consequently, men will no longer ejaculate semen during orgasm. This lack of semen production means that a man can't get a female pregnant after having a radical prostatectomy.
Rectal Injury
A surgeon can accidentally damage a man's rectum during radical prostatectomy, warn MedlinePlus health professionals. If this occurs, affected men can experience rectal bleeding or may have difficulty voluntarily controlling their bowel movements. Loss of bowel control may cause affected men to soil their underwear or clothing after surgery. These complications from radical prostatectomy are typically temporary and subside as a man begins to heal after surgery. Men who develop any of these complications after prostate removal surgery should consult a physician for further evaluation and care.
