The fact that Iamretired has a palpable tumor may be getting overlooked in our responses. If that tumor is in the area of a nerve bundle, that could be the reason the surgeon doesn't feel he'll be able to save the bundle. That would be a more understandable reason than previous biopsy punctures.
The notion that prostate cancer can be spread by the biopsy needle has been discussed here in the past, and there seem to be no verifiable cases where that has happened, and since biopsies are necessary to confirm the cancer, it's an unavoidable situation anyway. Still, that's a different situation than saying that the nerves might have cancer on them because of the biopsies. If the tumor is right below the nerves, I can understand concern about possible spread to the nerves from the tumor itself, not from the biopsy needle.
I'm a surgery guy myself who lost a nerve bundle for that very reason, so I can relate to that. At the same time, having gone through the surgery, and having thought about prostate cancer for more than two years now, I appreciate the wisdom of looking at various solutions. I also understand that when the cancer diagnosis is delivered, much of the following conversation becomes a blur and can lead to misunderstandings. Having my R. N. wife in the room was a godsend for me. She had all the facts straight.
I think some further discussion with the uro would very helpful.