Prostate surgery, also known as prostatectomy, refers to a procedure that is performed to partially or completely remove the prostate. A prostatectomy is usually done to correct problems with the prostate, such as an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine and semen pass to leave the body. An enlarged prostate can cause serious health problems, such as kidney damage, and can also be linked to prostate cancer. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and secretes a secretion that is part of the seminal fluid. The prostate tends to get bigger with age. Mild enlargement of the prostate is seen in many men over 40 years of age, and a larger increase in prostate size is seen in 90% of men over 80 years of age. This is because hormonal changes and cell growth in the aging process sometimes cause the gland to swell. The enlargement puts pressure on the urethra, making it more difficult to empty the bladder during urination. An enlarged prostate is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition is not malignant and does not increase the risk of prostate cancer. However, the prostate can grow to such an extent that it causes a problem. Symptoms of many prostate problems include: Urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine); Frequent urges to urinate; Blood in the urine Many of these problems can be managed with medication or lifestyle changes. In other people, surgery is needed to correct the problem. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is so common that all men are said to develop the condition at some point in their lives. Prostate cancer, as well as other conditions such as prostatitis, can also cause an enlarged prostate. Complete removal of the gland may help if the cancer has not yet spread. Bibliography: 1. MedlinePlus. Enlarged prostate 2. Yale Medicine. Enlarged Prostate 3. National Institutes of Health. Prostate Diseases 4. National Institutes of Health: National Cancer Institute. Prostate Cancer Treatment 5. American Cancer Society. Surgery for Prostate Cancer 6. Johns Hopkins. Radical Prostatectomy