Top 10 Side Effects of Treatment for Prostate Cancer
A diagnosis of Prostate Cancer can be devastating to a man “especially if the disease in its advanced stages. There are many treatment options including chemotherapy, radiation treatment, surgery, hormone therapy and biological therapy. The treatment that is utilized is individual of each patient’s disease as well as personal choice. Unfortunately, all the treatment options have their side effects that can be just as bad, or in some cases worse, than the symptoms of the disease itself. It is these side effects that many men contemplate before choosing their treatment option. Some of these side effects are:
Pain: If a man opts for surgery (also known as a prostatectomy) to remove the cancer or the prostate, pain is the most common reported side effect. This pain usually lasts a few days, but can be managed with prescription drug medications.
Impotence: This is the main concern for men when choosing a course of treatment for their Prostate Cancer. About 90% of men who undergo orchiectomy, a surgical procedure to have the testicles removed, experience impotence. A prostatectomy can result in permanent impotence as well as radiation therapy. However, it is more likely to occur with external radiation therapy as opposed to internal radiation therapy which does not seem to damage the nerves that control orgasm as much. New surgical procedures are also allowing men to only suffer from short-term impotence. The drugs used for hormonal therapy can also cause impotence.
Incontinence: This is also another side effect of great concern to men and is usually associated with surgical procedures and radiation treatment. The good news is that many patients regain urinary flow over time. For those who do not, medications and special exercises (like Kegels) can help.
Infertility: Even though Prostate Cancer is considered an older man’s disease, there are some men, younger than 50, who will test positive for it. Many treatments for Prostate Cancer affect fertility. If a man wishes to preserve his fertility, there are options for doing this before any Prostate Cancer treatment begins.
Weakening Bones: Prostate Cancer usually spreads to the bones and causes pain. However, hormone therapy that is used to stop the spread of Prostate Cancer can have the same effect on bones. Doctors can prescribe special treatments to support the weakened bones.
Hormonal Changes: These side effects are most commonly found with the use of hormone therapy. Hot flashes, breast tissue growth, osteoporosis, weight gain, loss of muscle mass and anemia are just a few of these effects. Some of these effects can be treated to minimize their impact.
Bowel Problems: Some men who undergo radiation treatment may notice a change in their bowel habits. Diarrhea, gas, bleeding with bowel movements and loss of bowel movement control occur often in men who use external beam radiation as their treatment option.
Fatigue: Many treatments for Prostate Cancer are taxing on the body “especially chemotherapy “and can cause mild to extreme fatigue for a Prostate Cancer patient.
Depression: Like with any disease, patients struggle to deal with the change in quality of life they will have to endure while treating their Prostate Cancer. Sadness, anger and anxiety are common among any cancer patients, but should subside over time or when treatment is completed.
Sore skin in the Genital Area: Because the skin in this area is very thin and sensitive, it is easy to become reddened and sore during radiation beam treatment. Scratching and rubbing should be avoided.
As with most treatment plans, side effects can and do occur. For man diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, it is a matter of weighing the disease symptoms against the side effects of treatment. Many men do not want their quality of life to suffer and consider all options before beginning any course of treatment.
Related Articles