What are the side-effects of prostate cancer treatment?
A. The treatments for prostate cancer carry a significant risk of side-effects, both long-term and short-term. After a prostatectomy operation there is a high risk of impotence and a small risk of urinary incontinence. Radiotherapy carries a similar risk of impotence but has a smaller risk of incontinence. Brachytherapy appears to have a lower risk of impotence. Almost all patients receiving hormone therapy experience impotence during the course of the treatment. Hot flushes, tiredness and weight gain are also common, but all side-effects cease when the treatment stops. The levels of side-effects reported for cryotherapy and HIFU varies a lot, but appears to be similar to radiotherapy or surgery. The good news is prostate cancer need not be a death sentence. Early diagnosis is so important and there is a great deal all men can do to safeguard their health. If you found these FAQs helpful and would like to assist AICR in funding further research and education, please consider donating h
