Most men meet their surgeon only a handful of times before treatment, and each consultation can feel short. Going in with a clear list helps you use that time well. These 10 questions to ask a prostate cancer surgeon cover the areas that matter most: experience, results, recovery and alternatives. Print them, add your own, and note down the answers as you go. If you are meeting more than one surgeon, asking each the same questions makes it much easier to compare their answers afterwards.
Experience and technique
1. How many robotic prostate operations have you performed?
Ask for both the total and the number each year. Results in prostate surgery improve with experience, and a surgeon who operates regularly is better prepared for the unexpected. Our article on why surgeon experience matters explains the link in more detail.
2. Do you use nerve-sparing techniques, and is that possible for me?
The nerves that control erections run alongside the prostate. Whether they can be preserved depends on where the cancer sits, so the answer should be specific to your scans and biopsy. Our guide to nerve-sparing techniques explains why this matters.
Results
3. What are your results for cancer control?
Useful measures include positive margin rates and how often PSA stays undetectable after surgery. Ask how these compare for cancers similar to yours, and what would happen if PSA began to rise again after surgery.
4. What are my chances of regaining urinary control?
Ask for continence figures at defined points, such as three, six and twelve months. Using the same time points makes it easier to compare surgeons. Ask, too, what proportion of men still use a pad at twelve months, and what help is offered if leakage continues for longer.
5. What are my chances of keeping erectile function?
Recovery varies with age, general health and function before surgery. Our article on erectile function after surgery sets out what affects it.
Risks and recovery
6. What risks or complications should I be aware of?
A good answer is balanced. It should explain the main risks, how likely they are for you and how they would be managed. Common examples include temporary leakage, erectile difficulties and, less often, infection or bleeding.
7. What will my recovery timeline look like?
Ask about the hospital stay, time off work, driving, travel and exercise. Our recovery timeline gives a week-by-week guide.
8. How long will I need a catheter?
After robotic surgery, a catheter is usually needed for one to two weeks. Knowing this in advance helps you plan, and your team will show you how to manage it at home.
9. What support will I receive after surgery?
Ask who you contact with questions, whether a specialist nurse is available, and how pelvic floor exercises and PSA monitoring will be arranged.
Alternatives
10. Are there other treatment options I should consider?
Surgery is one of several options. Active surveillance and radiotherapy suit many men, and a balanced surgeon will discuss them openly. NHS information on prostate cancer treatment and NICE guidance describe the alternatives.
Making the most of the answers
These questions give you useful insight into a surgeon's experience and what treatment would involve for you. Equally important is how you feel during the conversation. Clear communication and trust make a real difference to the whole experience, from the first appointment to follow-up.
Bring someone with you if you can, since it is easy to miss details at a stressful time. If you leave without the clarity you need, it is reasonable to ask further questions or seek another opinion before deciding.
To ask Professor Dasgupta these questions yourself, please book a consultation.