Post Radiation Prostate Treatment

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, prostate cancer strikes one out of every six American men. About 90 percent of those cancers are detected and treated early, and almost 100 percent of those men are cancer-free five years later. Radiation therapy, one of the front-line treatments for prostate cancer, kills cancer cells but may also damage tissues in nearby organs such as the urethra, bladder, bowel and rectum.

• Prostate cancer has a great cure rate.

Effects

• According to Radiology Info, all forms of radiation therapy for prostate cancer have the potential to cause temporary side effects, and occasionally more lingering problems. The Prostate Cancer Outcomes Study from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers a comprehensive picture of life after radiation therapy. Two years after diagnosis, overall quality of life was the same for all men in the study, regardless of whether they had surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, there were important differences in specific quality of life indicators. For example, a form of radiation therapy known as external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) caused the most disruption in sexual functioning. More controlled forms of radiation therapy had less of an impact.

Time Frames

• Radiation therapy can impact quality of life during and immediately after treatment cycles. It may also contribute to problems that don't show up until later. For example, urinary or bowel problems may occur as late as three years after radiation. In men undergoing EBRT, erectile dysfunction typically got worse between 12 and 24 months after the treatment. Bowel problems for EBRT patients got worse six months after therapy was ended, but many men reported partial relief from those symptoms at the two-year mark.

Significance

• Given the encouraging survival rate for prostate cancer, men can expect to live long and fulfilling lives after radiation therapy. However, a man who loses control of his bowel or bladder function may become depressed and isolate himself from social contact. Erectile dysfunction can have a devastating effect on intimate relationships.

Solutions

• There are many practical approaches to help a man regain some control of bowel and bladder functions. Physicians and other health care providers can provide important information about medications, exercises and lifestyle changes to improve symptoms. Likewise, erectile dysfunction secondary to radiation therapy often responds well to prescription medications and other interventions.

Considerations

• According to NCI, men with prostate cancer need more complete information about the risk and benefits of various treatment plans. A man who knows what to expect in terms of cure rate, has an accurate picture of anticipated quality of life, and is aware of potential side effects can play a bigger role in decisions impacting his health and lifestyle.