Concierge urology · UK
Prostatectomy - the right operation for the right reason.
Removing the prostate - or the part of it that is causing trouble - for benign enlargement or for cancer. Simple or radical, open, laparoscopic, robotic or endoscopic. We help you choose the operation, the approach and the surgeon.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Simple or radical - the right operation named
Prostatectomy is not one operation. We separate the benign, symptom-relieving simple prostatectomy from the cancer-clearing radical prostatectomy, and steer you to the surgeon who does yours by the dozen.
- 02
The whole menu, not one hospital’s tool
Open, laparoscopic, robotic, or endoscopic enucleation - the best approach depends on your gland, your diagnosis and your goals, not on which machine a hospital owns.
- 03
Independent, and free
We take no fee from any clinic, so whether prostatectomy, a less invasive procedure or a non-surgical option suits you better is an impartial conversation that costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private prostatectomy costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across the different prostatectomy operations in our network. Send the details and we quote firm figures for the procedure you need, with cover checked.
In short
Benign glands from £6,000; radical cancer surgery £13,000–£22,000.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endoscopic enucleation (large benign gland) | £6,000–£11,000 | 60–120 min | Day-case or 1 night |
| Simple open prostatectomy (very large benign gland) | £9,000–£14,000 | 1.5–2.5 hrs | 2–4 nights |
| Robotic simple prostatectomy (benign) | £11,000–£16,000 | 1.5–2.5 hrs | 1–2 nights |
| Radical prostatectomy for cancer - open | £13,000–£19,000 | 2–3 hrs | 2–4 nights |
| Radical prostatectomy for cancer - robotic | £15,000–£22,000 | 2–3 hrs | 1–2 nights |
| Staging MRI or flow assessment (if needed) | £300–£900 | 30–60 min | Report 2–5 days |
| Urology consultation only | £250–£450 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by the operation itself, by hospital, by surgeon, and by approach. Radical cancer surgery and robotic cases sit at the top of the range; endoscopic benign procedures at the bottom. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
One word, several very different operations.
Men often arrive told they need a prostatectomy without being told which one, whether a less invasive option would do, or how the approaches actually differ. We start by getting those three things straight.
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Benign or cancer - it changes everything
Simple prostatectomy relieves symptoms from an enlarged gland; radical prostatectomy removes cancer. Confusing the two leads to the wrong operation.
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Is surgery even the answer yet?
For benign disease, tablets, laser and lifts often work first. For cancer, radiotherapy and surveillance are real alternatives. We say so plainly.
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The approach follows the anatomy
Gland size, prior surgery, BMI and diagnosis decide whether open, laparoscopic, robotic or endoscopic is right - not a hospital’s marketing.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery - what happens, in order.
One team from first message through the work-up, surgery, histology and follow-up - whichever prostatectomy you need.
Phase 1 · Before your surgery
Work-up, MDT where needed, planning
Phase 2 · On the day
Theatre and recovery
Phase 3 · After
Histology and follow-up
- 01
Before
You tell us the diagnosis
A short, confidential form. Whether the issue is benign enlargement or cancer, your PSA, symptoms, flow tests or biopsy results, and any imaging done.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether a simple or radical prostatectomy fits, how it compares with less invasive options, the sensible approach, and an indicative price.
- 03
Before
The right work-up for your case
For benign disease: flow rate, residual volume and gland size. For cancer: MRI, PSMA PET-CT if higher risk, and a urology cancer MDT.
- 04
Before
Surgical planning and consent
The surgeon confirms the extent, the approach, and - for cancer - whether nerves can be spared and nodes are needed. The honest functional outlook is set out before you sign.
- 05
On the day
The operation
Under general or spinal anaesthetic depending on the procedure. Simple prostatectomy removes the enlarged inner gland; radical prostatectomy removes the whole prostate and seminal vesicles. Typically 1–3 hours.
- 06
On the day
Recovery and discharge
A catheter is placed for all approaches. Endoscopic and robotic cases often go home within a day; open surgery means a 2–4 night stay.
- 07
After
Catheter, histology and follow-up
The catheter comes out at a few days to two weeks depending on the operation. Histology confirms the diagnosis, and - for cancer - a PSA surveillance schedule begins.
Typical end-to-end: 2–4 weeks from enquiry to surgery. Recovery: 2 weeks endoscopic or robotic, 4–6 weeks open.
When it helps
When a prostatectomy is the right step.
The benign and the cancer situations that lead to surgery, plus the one red flag that means staging must come before any operation.
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Localised prostate cancer
Cancer confined to the gland in a man fit for surgery, where radical prostatectomy offers a strong chance of cure.
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Very large benign enlargement
A prostate too big for standard endoscopic surgery, causing poor flow, retention or recurrent infections - a simple prostatectomy removes the obstructing tissue.
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Urinary retention or a failing bladder
When the bladder can no longer empty, or a catheter cannot be removed, surgery to clear the obstruction protects the kidneys and bladder.
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Bladder stones or recurrent bleeding
Large stones or repeated blood in the urine from an enlarged gland can be dealt with at the same time as clearing the obstruction.
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Medication no longer working
Where tablets for benign enlargement have stopped helping, or their side effects are unacceptable, surgery is the definitive step.
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When full pathology is wanted
Removing tissue gives a histological diagnosis - for cancer, the grade, stage and margins that guide whether any further treatment is needed.
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A younger man with long life expectancy
For cancer, where decades of follow-up may favour definitive removal over surveillance and durable local control matters.
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Red flag: signs of spread
Bone pain, weight loss or a very high PSA can point to cancer beyond the gland - where staging must come first and surgery alone is not the answer.
Procedure options
Two operations, four ways to do them.
The extent (simple or radical) is set by your diagnosis; the approach (open, laparoscopic, robotic, endoscopic) is chosen to fit your anatomy and goals.
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Simple prostatectomy
For benign enlargement only. The obstructing inner part of the gland is removed while the outer capsule is left behind. It relieves urinary symptoms; it is not a cancer operation.
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Radical prostatectomy
For cancer. The whole prostate and the seminal vesicles are removed and the bladder rejoined to the urethra. This is the operation meant when prostatectomy is discussed in the context of cancer.
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Open approach
A lower-abdominal incision giving the surgeon direct, tactile access. Used for very large benign glands and in radical surgery where hands-on access is preferred.
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Laparoscopic approach
Keyhole ports and a camera, without a robot. Less common now that robotic surgery is widespread, but still offered by some experienced laparoscopic urologists.
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Robotic approach
The da Vinci console for both simple and radical surgery - magnified vision and wristed instruments through keyhole ports, with low blood loss and a short stay.
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Endoscopic enucleation
For benign glands, the obstructing tissue is enucleated from inside via the urethra using a laser - no external incision. Covered in detail on our HoLEP and GreenLight pages.
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Nerve-sparing (radical only)
In cancer surgery, the neurovascular bundles are preserved where the tumour allows, to protect erectile function. Sparing is always secondary to clear margins.
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Pelvic lymph node dissection (radical only)
For intermediate- and high-risk cancer, the draining lymph nodes are removed and examined to complete staging and guide further treatment.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of urologists, we picked them.
Consultant urological surgeons across London and the major UK cities, covering the full range of prostate surgery. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every urologist in our network.
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Consultant urologists with high, audited volumes in the specific operation you need - simple or radical
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Access to endoscopic, laparoscopic, robotic and open options rather than a single in-house technique
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A urology cancer MDT, MRI and PSMA PET-CT for malignant cases
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Continence and, where relevant, erectile rehabilitation pathways arranged before surgery
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Because prostatectomy covers several operations, the risks differ. Below are the ones worth understanding, flagged by whether they apply to simple, radical or both.
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The risks depend on which prostatectomy
A simple prostatectomy for benign disease and a radical prostatectomy for cancer are different operations with different risk profiles. We set out the ones that apply to your specific procedure.
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Bleeding and transfusion
The prostate has a rich blood supply. Blood loss is highest with open simple and open radical surgery, lower with robotic and endoscopic approaches; transfusion is occasionally needed.
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Urinary incontinence
Leakage is uncommon after simple prostatectomy but a recognised issue after radical surgery, usually improving over 6–12 months with pelvic floor exercises.
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Retrograde ejaculation
After simple prostatectomy and endoscopic enucleation, semen commonly passes backward into the bladder at climax. Sensation is preserved, but natural fertility is affected.
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Erectile dysfunction
A particular concern in radical cancer surgery, where nerve-sparing and honest planning matter. It is less common, though still possible, after simple prostatectomy.
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Infection, DVT and hernia
Wound or urinary infection, blood clots and later hernia are recognised risks across approaches. DVT prophylaxis and early mobilisation are standard.
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Cancer-specific outcomes (radical only)
For cancer, positive surgical margins and lymph node involvement guide whether radiotherapy or other treatment follows, and are reviewed at MDT.
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PSA after surgery (radical only)
Once the whole gland is removed for cancer, PSA should fall to undetectable; a rising PSA later signals recurrence and triggers restaging.
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Red flags after surgery
Fever, spreading redness, heavy bleeding, calf pain or breathlessness, or a catheter that stops draining need the same-day team or A&E, not a routine call.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever prostatectomy you had - simple or radical, and by whatever route - the note you receive keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the operation note and the histology before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Which prostatectomy, and why
Whether the operation was simple (benign) or radical (cancer), the approach used, and the indication that led to surgery.
- 02 Technique
Extent and approach
What was removed - inner gland only, or the whole prostate and seminal vesicles - the route taken, and, for cancer, whether nerves were spared and nodes taken.
- 03 Findings
Histology and diagnosis
What the pathologist reported. For benign glands, confirmation of the diagnosis; for cancer, the grade, stage, margins and node status.
- 04 Impression
Follow-up and next steps
Read this first: catheter and continence plan, and - for cancer - the PSA schedule and whether any further treatment is advised.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Prostatectomy is usually covered when medically indicated, whether for benign obstruction or cancer. Cover levels vary by policy and by procedure, so we confirm your benefit before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about prostatectomy.
Quick answers on simple versus radical, the alternatives, approaches, sex life, recovery and cost.
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What is the difference between a simple and a radical prostatectomy?
A simple prostatectomy removes only the enlarged inner part of the prostate to relieve urinary obstruction from benign enlargement - the outer capsule and, importantly, most of the gland stay in place. A radical prostatectomy removes the entire prostate and the seminal vesicles to treat cancer, and the bladder is rejoined to the urethra. They share a name but are different operations with different aims, risks and recoveries.
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Do I really need my prostate removed, or is there a less invasive option?
It depends on the diagnosis. For benign enlargement, less invasive treatments such as endoscopic enucleation, GreenLight laser or a prostatic urethral lift often relieve symptoms without removing the whole gland - simple prostatectomy is reserved for very large glands or complicating factors. For localised cancer, radical prostatectomy is one of several curative options alongside radiotherapy, focal therapy and active surveillance. We lay out the alternatives honestly before recommending surgery.
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Which surgical approach is best - open, laparoscopic or robotic?
No single approach is best for everyone. Robotic surgery offers low blood loss and a short stay and is now the most common route for radical surgery; open surgery gives direct tactile access useful for very large glands or complex cases; laparoscopic sits between the two. Cancer and symptom outcomes are broadly comparable in expert hands, so the surgeon’s experience with the specific operation matters more than the tool.
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Will a prostatectomy affect my sex life and fertility?
Very likely, though how depends on the operation. Simple prostatectomy and endoscopic enucleation commonly cause retrograde ejaculation, where semen passes into the bladder - this affects fertility but not sensation. Radical cancer surgery ends ejaculation permanently and carries a real risk of erectile dysfunction, which is why nerve-sparing and rehabilitation are planned in advance. Sperm banking beforehand is an option where children may be wanted.
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How long does recovery take?
This varies by procedure. Endoscopic and robotic operations often mean a single overnight stay, a catheter for a few days to two weeks, and a return to desk work within a couple of weeks. Open surgery means a 2–4 night stay and a longer recovery of 4–6 weeks. Heavy lifting is avoided for around six weeks while the internal healing completes.
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How much does a prostatectomy cost privately in the UK, and does the NHS offer it?
Privately, benign endoscopic enucleation runs roughly £6,000–£11,000, simple prostatectomy £9,000–£16,000 depending on approach, and radical cancer surgery £13,000–£22,000 depending on open or robotic, plus any staging scans. The NHS provides all of these free of charge for suitable patients; the private route mainly offers choice of surgeon and timing. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Robotic prostatectomy
The da Vinci approach for cancer, in detail.
Learn more -
Open radical prostatectomy
The open surgical approach for cancer.
Learn more -
HoLEP
Holmium laser enucleation for large benign glands.
Learn more -
GreenLight laser prostatectomy
Laser vaporisation for benign enlargement.
Learn more -
UroLift implant
A minimally invasive lift for benign enlargement.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more