prostate-cancer


Side Effects Of Radiation Treatment For Prostate Cancer

Side Effects of Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Modern man should be putting a braver face facing prostate cancer because newer technology would mean a more efficient way in addressing the problems of prostate cancer as well as the complications it usually bring along.

But with radiation treatment, the modern man could forgo a brave face. Because for all its worth, the side effects of radiation treatment for prostate cancer still occupy a longer list than what you'd want to expect.

Every man considering radiation therapy should be aware of all the side effects of radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Most of these are life changing and while it may save your life from deadly cancer, it may irrevocably change the way you use to enjoy it. Here are all the side effects of radiation treatment for prostate cancer and its causes.

Incontinence

One of the most damaging side effects of radiation treatment for prostate cancer is incontinence. If the urinary sphincter is damaged during the radiation treatment process, the patient will experience varying degrees of urinary incontinence, an unwilled action of urinating. This can be very life changing but there are those instances where a corrective surgery can be applied.

Serious incontinence cases though are rare, affecting 1% - 3% of the men undergoing radiation treatment. Though the symptoms will usually go away the longest in a year, it is permanent in less than 1% of the radiation treated men.

Impotence

Another of grave side effects of radiation treatment for prostate cancer, impotence is the difficulty in having an erection, even if the sexual drive is still present. Another problem would be the maintaining of an erection. Impotence doesn't mean however that there would also be an absence of ejaculation, as an impotent patient can still ejaculate but without erection. For many married men, this is one of the biggest patient trade-off in having prostate cancer treatment.

Radiation treatment though, has a lower percentage of occurring than with radical prostatectomy, but the risk for a permanent damage is higher than with radical prostatectomy due to irreversible damage of the tissues.

Infertility

As a direct result of a prostate problem, infertility is a usual problem. This is true to all prostate problems and the treatment of these problems. You can, however, save some sperm cells before engaging yourself to treatment.

Though there are other side effects of radiation treatment for prostate cancer, those mentioned above are the most common and poses the biggest problem for the quality of life they give post operation. It is important that the patient should be well aware of the risk this radiation treatment (as well as other prostate cancer treatment) carries.

 

 

Search This Site

Prostate Cancer

 

 

 

Prostate Cancer


Prostate Cancer

... reported that there are 200,000 diagnosed cases of prostate cancer in the U.S. annually while the National Institute of Health reported that three-fourths of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed from men who are more than 65 years old while the disease is rarely fond among men who have not reach the age ... 

Read Full Article  


Prostate Gland Enlarged Prostate Gland

... body and may even result in prostate gland cancer. There are a few symptoms of this condition that you should be aware of, so that if you ever start noticing these symptoms you can get in to see your doctor right away. If you notice that you have the need to pass urine urgently, the need for frequent ... 

Read Full Article  


Prostate Health And Saw Palmetto

... functions, like erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction. It has become standard belief too that medical treatment of the prostate problem would mean surgical removal of parts of the male anatomy, which is of course misplaced. Newer techniques in suppressing the androgen testosterone don't mean surgical or ... 

Read Full Article  


Proton Therapy For Prostate Cancer Treatment

... were cases where the quality of life is compromised: infertility, impotence, incontinence, dryness, and another cancer becomes a problem post operation using radiation treatment. But with proton therapy for prostate cancer treatment, the proton beam is precisely directed, with range and peak closely monitored. ... 

Read Full Article  


Prostate Exam Prostate Exam Video

... one of the more common causes of death in males past the age of fifty. If you are still feeling uncomfortable after watching the prostate exam video, then I suggest calling and talking to your doctor. They should be able to relieve any fears you might have and explain to you the importance of getting ... 

Read Full Article