[Methods and results of radical prostatectomy for localized cancer of the prostate]

A radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer is indicated after evaluation of the disease (initial PSA, clinical stage, biopsy mapping, results of radiologic explorations with an endorectal MRI) and the patient (age, morbidity, life expectancy and wishes of potency conservation). The surgical approaches, retropubic or laparoscopic, depend on the surgeon's experience. Radical prostatectomy provides good disease-free survival for organ-confined disease close to the natural life expectancy. Post-radical prostatectomy morbidity is essentially represented by orthostatic incontinence (up to 6.8%), stress incontinence (up to 27%) and impotence (30 to 95%), depending on the published series and patient age.