Prof. Dr. Emel Akoğlu
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- 57+years exp.
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Prostate
Prostatectomy
What a prostatectomy is, the difference between radical and simple surgery, open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches, what the evidence says about cure rates and side effects, approximate costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, hospital stay and recovery, and how to check a hospital and ask the right questions.
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Prof. Dr. Zerrin Biçik Bahçebaşı
UrologyVerified
- 37+years exp.
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What is a prostatectomy, and how does the operation work?
A prostatectomy is an operation to remove all or part of the prostate, the walnut-sized gland below the bladder that surrounds the first part of the urethra. In a radical prostatectomy the surgeon removes the whole gland together with the seminal vesicles, and sometimes nearby lymph nodes, then joins the bladder neck back to the urethra. In a simple prostatectomy only the inner part of the gland is removed to relieve blockage; this is used for a very large benign prostate. Most patients who search for prostatectomy in Turkey are weighing radical surgery for localised prostate cancer.
This guide explains the types of surgery, what the evidence says about results and side effects, what a prostatectomy costs in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany, how long you stay and recover, and how to check a hospital. Surgery is only one option, so the decision should follow a confirmed diagnosis and a discussion with your own urologist or oncologist.
Radical or simple prostatectomy: which one is it?
The two operations treat different problems. A radical prostatectomy aims to remove prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the gland. A simple (also called open or transvesical) prostatectomy removes the obstructing inner tissue in benign prostatic enlargement when the gland is too large for a telescope procedure such as TURP. Ask which one is planned and why, because the risks, hospital stay and cost differ.
Before any cancer operation the diagnosis should be confirmed by MRI and a prostate biopsy, with the grade and extent of the cancer written in your report. If you already have those results, send them with your request so the hospital can review them rather than start again.
Open, laparoscopic or robotic prostatectomy?
Radical prostatectomy can be done through one lower-abdominal incision (open), through five or six small keyhole incisions (laparoscopic), or with a robotic console that holds the instruments (robot-assisted). The surgeon removes the same tissue in each case; what changes is the incision, blood loss, magnification and how long you stay. Keyhole and robotic methods usually mean smaller scars, less blood loss and a shorter stay, which is why most hospitals offering the operation to international patients use them. Our guide to laparoscopic prostatectomy describes the keyhole technique in more detail.
| Approach | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Very large glands, previous pelvic surgery, centres without a robot | Larger incision, more blood loss, slightly longer stay |
| Laparoscopic | Localised cancer, surgeons trained in keyhole work | Fixed instruments; steep learning curve for the surgeon |
| Robot-assisted | Localised cancer, fine nerve-sparing work | Higher equipment cost; not better in every study for cure rates |
Large reviews have not shown that one approach cures more men than another. The surgeon's volume and experience matter more than the machine, so ask how many cases the named surgeon performs each year.
Does prostatectomy work? What the evidence says
For cancer that is confined to the prostate, radical prostatectomy is a well-established treatment with long follow-up data, and many men have no further treatment afterwards. It is not the only sound choice: radiotherapy, brachytherapy and active surveillance for low-risk disease are also accepted options, and the NHS and national urology societies recommend discussing all of them. Removing the gland can also give a clear pathology report, which tells the team whether the cancer was fully removed and whether extra treatment such as radiotherapy may be needed. If the cancer has already spread outside the prostate, surgery alone may not be enough and an oncology team should lead the decision.
Prostatectomy cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The figures below are approximate ranges for a radical prostatectomy including surgery, hospital stay and standard pathology, not hospital quotes. The hospital confirms its own price in writing after reviewing your results.
| Country | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €6,000 – €16,000 |
| United Kingdom | €12,000 – €28,000 |
| United States | €25,000 – €60,000 |
| Germany | €12,000 – €25,000 |
What changes the prostatectomy price: open, laparoscopic or robotic technique, nerve-sparing work, lymph-node removal, the number of hospital nights, intensive-care needs, and the pathology. A package usually includes pre-operative tests, the operation, the anaesthetist, the ward stay, medication, a urinary catheter and transfers; imaging, consultations before arrival and any follow-up treatment are often separate, so ask for the list in writing.
Who is a good candidate for prostatectomy, and who is not?
Radical surgery is usually offered to men with prostate cancer that appears to be confined to the gland, who are fit enough for a general anaesthetic and expect to live long enough to benefit, often more than ten years. It is less suitable when the cancer has clearly spread to bones or distant organs, when heart or lung disease makes anaesthesia unsafe, or when a man would prefer to avoid the risk of incontinence and erectile problems and chooses radiotherapy or surveillance instead. For benign enlargement, simple prostatectomy is considered when the prostate is very large, a bladder stone or diverticulum needs removing at the same time, or telescope procedures are not suitable.
What happens on the day: anaesthesia, duration and hospital stay
The operation is done under general anaesthesia and usually lasts two to four hours. The surgeon removes the prostate and seminal vesicles, may sample or remove lymph nodes, preserves the nerves beside the gland when the cancer allows, and reconnects the bladder to the urethra over a catheter. A small drain may be left for a day or two. Most men stay two to four nights in hospital, getting out of bed on the first day to reduce the risk of blood clots, and go home or to a hotel with the urinary catheter still in place.
Prostatectomy recovery: how many days in Turkey and when can I fly?
Plan to stay in Turkey for about seven to ten days: the hospital stay, then a few days nearby so the team can check the wound and, in many cases, remove the catheter after around one to two weeks. Flying with a catheter is possible but uncomfortable, so many patients wait until it is out. After that, recovery follows milestones rather than a fixed date.
| Time | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Hospital stay, walking, catheter, mild to moderate pain controlled with medication |
| Week 1–2 | Gentle walking, catheter removal, return flight once cleared |
| Weeks 3–6 | Desk work for most; no heavy lifting; pelvic floor exercises continue |
| Months 3–12 | Bladder control and erections improve gradually; PSA tested at intervals |
What are the side effects and risks of prostatectomy?
Every major operation carries risks of bleeding, infection, blood clots and anaesthetic problems. The two effects that matter most after prostatectomy are urinary leakage and erection difficulty, as described by the NHS and Prostate Cancer UK. Many men have some leakage at first, which usually improves over several months with pelvic floor exercises, and a smaller group have lasting problems that may need a pad, a sling or an artificial sphincter. Erections are often affected because the nerves run beside the prostate; nerve-sparing surgery may help but cannot be promised, and options such as medication or a penile prosthesis exist if function does not return. Orgasm remains possible but ejaculation no longer produces semen, so men who want children should discuss sperm storage first. Other possible effects include a narrowing of the urethra or the bladder neck and, rarely, injury to nearby organs.
How to choose a urologist and hospital, and red flags
Look for a urologist who performs prostatectomy regularly and can state the approach, nerve-sparing plan and what happens if the pathology is worse than expected. The hospital should be licensed, with intensive care and blood bank, and should give you a written plan and price before a deposit. Red flags include a quote without seeing your MRI and biopsy, promises of guaranteed continence or erections, no named surgeon, and no plan for follow-up PSA testing at home. Read how our process works, browse the other urology treatments in Turkey and request a plan through our free quote page.
Questions to ask the clinic:
- Which type of prostatectomy is planned, and which technique (open, laparoscopic or robotic)?
- How many of these operations does the named surgeon perform each year?
- Will nerve-sparing be attempted, and what are the realistic chances in my case?
- What exactly is in the package, and what costs extra (pathology, imaging, intensive care)?
- How long will I stay, when is the catheter removed and when may I fly?
- Who reviews the pathology and who will coordinate PSA follow-up at home?
Hospitals with Urology in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
A prostatectomy is an operation to remove all or part of the prostate gland. Radical prostatectomy removes the whole gland, usually for localised prostate cancer, while simple prostatectomy removes the inner tissue of a very large benign prostate to relieve urinary blockage.
Approximate ranges are €6,000 to €16,000 in Turkey, against about €12,000 to €28,000 in the UK. The price depends on the technique, nerve-sparing work, nights in hospital and what the package includes; the hospital confirms it in a written quote.
For cancer confined to the prostate, surgery is a well-established treatment and many men need nothing further. It is not guaranteed: pathology afterwards shows whether more treatment such as radiotherapy may be needed.
Hospital stay is usually two to four nights and the catheter stays about one to two weeks. Many men return to desk work after three to six weeks, while bladder control and erections can take several months to improve.
Robotic and keyhole surgery usually mean smaller scars, less blood loss and a shorter stay. Studies have not shown that one approach cures more men, so the surgeon's experience matters more than the machine.
Some leakage is common at first and usually improves over several months with pelvic floor exercises. A smaller group have lasting problems that may need pads or further treatment, so ask the surgeon what to expect in your case.
The nerves that control erections run beside the prostate and are often affected. Nerve-sparing surgery may help, but results vary and cannot be promised; medication or other treatments are available if function does not return.
Plan on about seven to ten days: two to four nights in hospital, then a few days nearby for a wound check. Many patients wait until the catheter is removed before the flight home.
No. Radiotherapy, brachytherapy and active surveillance for low-risk disease are also accepted options. Which suits you depends on the grade, the stage, your age and general health, so discuss all of them with your specialist.
Yes. A cancer operation should follow a confirmed diagnosis from an MRI and a prostate biopsy. Sending your existing reports with your request lets the hospital review them and give a more accurate plan and price.
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