The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
Open radical prostatectomy
Surgery to remove the prostate gland. An operation to treat localised prostate cancer by removing the entire prostate gland and some surrounding tissue.
About having a radical prostatectomy
Open radical prostatectomy is a common surgery to treat prostate cancer that hasn't spread beyond the prostate.
The prostate gland, along with a small amount of surrounding tissue, is completely removed.
Need to know
An open radical prostatectomy is usually done under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will make a cut in your abdomen between your navel and pubic bone. Your prostate gland will be removed, often along with the seminal vesicles (small tubes that sit on top of the prostate and carry semen).
Your surgeon may also remove the lymph nodes near your prostate so these can be analysed to make sure the cancer hasn't spread. A radical prostatectomy can sometimes be done through a small incision between the anus and scrotum, but this is less common. Your surgeon will recommend the best procedure for you.
Your surgeon may also remove the lymph nodes near your prostate so these can be analysed to make sure the cancer hasn't spread. A radical prostatectomy can sometimes be done through a small incision between the anus and scrotum, but this is less common. Your surgeon will recommend the best procedure for you.
Your consultant will tell you how to prepare for surgery and answer any questions you may have. If you're having general anaesthetic, you may be told not to eat or drink for several hours before the procedure. You should arrange for someone to take you home after your operation and hospital stay.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
During the procedure, a catheter will be put in place to drain urine from your bladder during the healing process. This will remain in place for several days following surgery. You will be cared for in hospital for a few days following your operation. Your consultant will let you know how long you can expect to stay in hospital.
Our Open radical prostatectomy locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
The Prostate Centre
18 Devonshire Street W1G 7AQ London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.