Men hear about prostate health all the time, but what does the prostate do? 

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland that rests below the bladder and in front of the rectum, surrounding part of the urethra. The prostate’s primary duty is to secrete the fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. The muscles of the prostate also help propel the seminal fluid into the urethra during ejaculation. 

All men are at risk for developing prostate problems, and it is very likely that a man will encounter some type of prostate problem in his lifetime. After the age of 50, the prostate gradually enlarges, and by the age of 90, about 9 in 10 men have an enlarged prostate. Also, about 1 in 6 men will actually be diagnosed with prostate cancer — making it the most common cancer among men. 

Both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer show similar symptoms, such as:

• Frequent and urgent urination
• Difficulty starting and stopping urine flow
• Weak, dribbling or interrupted flow of urine
• Painful or burning urination
• Difficulty in maintaining an erection
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, pelvis or thighs

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider. He or she may conduct any of a series of tests that could include a digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate-specific antigen test (blood test), ultrasound or biopsy. Medications may also be suggested, such as alpha-blockers (to relax muscles around the urethra, increasing urine flow) or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (to reduce levels of certain form of testosterone, DHT). Upon diagnosis, severe cases may require a specific procedure called a prostatectomy.

A prostatectomy is a surgical procedure for complete removal of the prostate. It is usually performed to treat prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland). The most common types include an open prostatectomy or robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. The more traditional, more invasive approach is the open procedure. An open prostatectomy requires one large, 3- to 5-inch incision below the belly button.

There are also several risks factors that are more common with a more invasive approach, including:

• Intraoperative bleeding
• Longer hospitalization
• Increased postoperative pain

A robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is the least invasive option, requiring only a few incisions less than 1 centimeter in length. A robot-assisted prostatectomy is performed using finely-controlled robotic instruments. The surgeon controls the machine remotely, with precise wrist movements. The machine translates hand movements outside the body into defined movements inside the body. The robotic option allows for improved visualization, dexterity and precision that may not be obtained through the more traditional approaches. The robotic prostatectomy also reduces post-procedure complications and provides these benefits:

• Quicker return to normal activity
• Shorter hospitalization (most patients go home the next day)
• Less blood loss and fewer transfusions
• Reduced pain

If you are 50 or older or have a family history of prostate cancer, please be sure to schedule a prostate cancer screening with your healthcare provider. If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in your life, you may consider choosing robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery to bypass the many shortcomings associated with traditional, open surgery and to quickly get back to doing the things you enjoy. 

Learn more at SurgeryAtTanner.org and TannerUrology.org. 

West Georgia Urology has locations in Bremen, Carrollton and Villa Rica and Wedowee. For more information, visit wgurology.com or call 770-834-6988.