SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's surgery for his prostate cancer went successfully and Mr Lee is now recovering, said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a statement on Monday.

"The surgery went very smoothly, and he is expected to recover fully," said Singapore General Hospital's lead urologist Professor Christopher Cheng, who operated on Mr Lee.

Prof Cheng also confirmed that there is no relationship between Mr Lee's prostate cancer diagnosis and his previous bout of lymphoma in 1992.

The PMO said on Sunday that Mr Lee had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in January. He underwent surgery to remove his prostate gland on Monday morning.

He will be on medical leave for a week.

Mr Lee is grateful for the good wishes from all, the PMO added.