Side Effects of Radiation for Prostate Cancer

There are two forms of radiation used to treat prostate cancer: external radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy. External radiation therapy is normally given five days a week for about eight weeks. During this therapy, the skin is marked for accuracy. A machine that resembles an x-ray shoots high beams of radiation through the skin. External radiation last only a few minutes and isn't painful.
Internal radiation therapy is also called brachytherapy. During this procedure radioactive seeds are put into the prostate. The procedure lasts for about an hour and is more convenient than external radiation because weekly treatments aren't needed.
Both of these therapies have side effects such as tissue damage, problems with the bladder, incontinence, impotence and fertility, and fatigue. Some of the side effects go away once treatment is completed.

Tissue Damage

According to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, severe tissue damage can occur in less than 1 percent of men who are being treated with external radiation. Damage is very rare but a possibility. External radiation therapy can cause tissue damage to the bladder and rectum. Sometimes this damage has to be fixed with surgery.

Effects On The Bowel

Bowel problems can often occur during radiation therapy. Diarrhea, bowel urgency and flare-up of hemorrhoids are side effects. These conditions become worse if bowel problems occurred before treatment. Often, medications can be given to control these side effects. Statistically, 20 percent of men may experience long-term bowel problems even when therapy has ended.

Incontinence

The urinary sphincter can be damaged during radiation therapy. Leakage and the urge to urinate can happen, causing incontinence. This occurs in about 8 to 10 percent of men who undergo radiation therapy. Sometimes, this condition will require a man to permanently wear a pad to prevent wetting his clothes. If incontinence becomes severe enough, surgery will be required to fix the problem.

Imptence/Infertility

Radiation therapy can affect a man's ability to become erect or stay erect. This leads to impotency. Impotency can affect about 50 percent of men undergoing radiation therapy. Normally, medications can be given to help rectify this problem.
Along with impotence, infertility can occur. This happens because radiation therapy kills the sperm located in the testicles. For younger men, this can be a concern. Before treatment, sperm can be withdrawn from the testicles and frozen for later use.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common side effect to radiation therapy. Naps are often taken during this period of fatigue. Fatigue normally goes away within a month or two after treatment has ended. Talk with a nutritionist about the kind of diet that will help lessen fatigue.

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[bennettjwjr]

on 7/25/2009 I had external beam radiation in 2001 and am now experiencing "radiation cystitis," a bleeding prostate, and a constant battle with constipation. I wish I had known about these potential side effects when I made my choice. Hormone therapy is no longer effective. Life is miserable.