What are the side-effects of prostate cancer treatment?
A. The treatments for prostate cancer carry a significant risk of side-effects, both long-term and short-term. After a prostatectomy operation there is a high risk of impotence and a small risk of urinary incontinence. Radiotherapy carries a similar risk of impotence but has a smaller risk of incontinence. Brachytherapy appears to have a lower risk of impotence. Almost all patients receiving hormone therapy experience impotence during the course of the treatment. Hot flushes, tiredness and weight gain are also common, but all side-effects cease when the treatment stops. The levels of side-effects reported for cryotherapy and HIFU varies a lot, but appears to be similar to radiotherapy or surgery.
The good news is prostate cancer need not be a death sentence. Early diagnosis is so important and there is a great deal all men can do to safeguard their health.
What are the side-effects of prostate cancer treatment?
A. The treatments for prostate cancer carry a significant risk of side-effects, both long-term and short-term. After a prostatectomy operation there is a high risk of impotence and a small risk of urinary incontinence. Radiotherapy carries a similar risk of impotence but has a smaller risk of incontinence. Brachytherapy appears to have a lower risk of impotence. Almost all patients receiving hormone therapy experience impotence during the course of the treatment. Hot flushes, tiredness and weight gain are also common, but all side-effects cease when the treatment stops. The levels of side-effects reported for cryotherapy and HIFU varies a lot, but appears to be similar to radiotherapy or surgery.
The good news is prostate cancer need not be a death sentence. Early diagnosis is so important and there is a great deal all men can do to safeguard their health.
