Treatment Options

Radiation Therapy

 

Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

Any man considering radiation therapy will want to weigh the risks and benefits of the procedure. For both types of radiation—external and internal (the radioactive seeds)—possible side effects include incontinence, the loss of control over the release of urine, and impotence, the inability to get or sustain an erection.

Other risks include severe urinary frequency or urgency, rectal problems, hair loss, fatigue and damage to the surrounding tissues.

If you have the seed implants, you can expect to feel some pain in the area for about a week after the seeds are put in place, and you may notice blood in your urine.

Incontinence
Radiation therapy can cause incontinence if the urinary sphincter is damaged by the radiation. Significant incontinence affects between 1 and 3 percent of men treated with radiation therapy for prostate cancer. This incontinence is permanent in less than 1 percent of these men.

Severe incontinence can sometimes be corrected with minor surgery. You may also want to ask your doctor about medication that may help with this problem.

Impotence
Impotence is the inability to have or maintain an erection. The risk of impotence right after treatment is generally lower with radiation therapy than with surgery, but the risk of long-term impotence is as high as 20 to 40 percent. Again, ask your doctor about medication to help with impotence.

Infertility
If you have radiation therapy, you probably will be infertile. If fertility is a concern for you, talk to your doctor about options such as freezing your sperm before your treatment so that it will be available if you want to father a child later on.

Bowel problems
Radiation therapy may cause problems such as diarrhea, bowel urgency, burning with bowel movements and a flare-up of hemorrhoids, particularly if you had bowel problems before your radiation treatments. In most cases, the symptoms are temporary and can be controlled with medication.

Fatigue
External radiation therapy can cause fatigue that may not go away until a month or two after treatment ends. Expect to take naps if you are experiencing fatigue. You may want to talk with a nutritionist about dietary changes that may help. LINK TO NUTRITION PAGE

Tissue damage
Severe tissue damage is very rare (occurring in less than 1 percent of all men with prostate cancer who are treated with external radiation therapy). Radiation therapy can damage the bladder, rectum and other surrounding tissues, causing problems that may need surgery to correct.

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September 2004