When is surgery for prostate cancer recommended instead of radiation?
Academic Title: Assistant Professor
Board Certifications:
Radiation Oncology
For all stages of prostate cancer, both radiation therapy and surgery are both good options with similar cure rates. In some special situations, your doctors may recommend surgery over radiation therapy. If you have severe pre-existing urinary problems from BPH, your doctors may advise surgery in order to treat your prostate cancer while simultaneously relieving urinary obstruction. Surgery is often encouraged for younger patients, especially those who are in their 40’s or early 50’s. Since the prostate is removed during prostatectomy and can be examined in detail by a pathologist, surgery has the advantage of providing more information about your prostate cancer.