Incontinence

Incontinence is the inability to control the urine stream, resulting in leakage or dribbling of urine. The patient may have urine leakage when coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercising. Treatment of incontinence depends on its type, cause, and severity. Options include exercises to strengthen bladder muscles, biofeedback, medications, and additional surgery.

Normal bladder control returns for many patients within several weeks or months after radical prostatectomy. Mild stress incontinence may persist permanently after surgery in up to 35 per cent of men.

Impotence

Impotence, also known as erectly dysfunction, is an inability to get an erection of the penis. The nerves that allow men to get erections may be damaged or removed by radical prostatectomy. Radiation therapy and cryosurgery can also cause damage to these nerves. However, during the first 3 to 12 months after radical prostatectomy, most men will not be able to get a spontaneous erection. 

Side effects of cryosurgery

Freezing can damage nerves near the prostate and cause impotence and incontinence. These complications occur about as often after cryosurgery as they do after radical prostatectomy. In addition, freezing may damage the bladder and intestines, leading to pain, a burning sensation, and the need to empty the bladder and bowels often. About 50 per cent of men notice swelling of their penis and scrotum after cryosurgery, usually lasting a couple of weeks.

Side effects of radiation therapy

These may include diarrhea with or without blood in the stool, and an irritated large intestine. Occasionally, normal bowel function does not return after treatment is stopped. Both during and after treatment, other side effects may include frequent urination, burning sensation while urinating and blood in the urine. Radiation therapy may also cause a feeling of fatigue that may not disappear until a month or two after treatment stops. Impotence usually does not occur right after radiation therapy but gradually develops over one or more years.

Side effects of chemotherapy

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type of drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. This can result in an increased change of infection. Most side effects, however, disappear once treatment is stopped.

Side effects of hormone therapy

1. Hot flashes similar to those experienced by women in menopause, sometimes controllable with other drugs such as Menace.

2. Breast enlargement, which may be prevented by treatment with radiation to the breasts prior to the start of the hormone blockade treatments.

3. Impotence-varying degrees are experienced. Generally, potency returns hormone therapy is discontinued. Actually, loss of libido is experienced more often than impotency.

4. Other possible side effects include, anemia, weight gain, loss of muscle mass, loss of body hair, and diarrhea.

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