What are the possible side effects from brachytherapy?
The two major side effects of any aggressive prostate cancer treatment are the risk of erectile dysfunction (impotence) and incontinence. With Palladium-103 seed implants, erectile dysfunction occurs in about 15-20% of cases; incontinence is virtually unheard of following Palladium implants. Meanwhile, 85-90% of the 15-20% of patients regain their erectile function when using erectile aids (Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, etc.). With brachytherapy there is typically a diminished ejaculate. After surgery, there is no ejaculate. In contrast, complete or partial erectile dysfunction is experienced in most cases of surgical removal of the prostate gland. Up to 40% of surgical cases also result in some degree of incontinence.
