Radical Prostatectomy
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. The gland is made of two lobes, or regions. As the diagram shows, the prostate is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine passes out of the body.
Doctors do not know all of the prostate's functions. One of its main roles, though, is to squeeze fluid into the urethra as sperm move through during sexual climax. This fluid, which helps make up semen, energizes the sperm and makes the vaginal canal less acidic.
The seminal vesicles are smaller glands (not shown here) that are attached to the prostate. They also add fluid to the semen during ejaculation.
You have had an operation called a radical prostatectomy. During this operation, your prostate gland and seminal vesicles were removed. You may or may not have had lymph node tissue removed as well.
