Technological advances, the development of more effective diagnostic methods and treatments, the availability of experienced specialists and the increased awareness of men about prostate cancer have made the survival rate of this disease very encouraging.
After successful treatment, one of the most common concerns of patients is to know the consequences of prostate cancer. At Lyx Urology Institute, we specialize in the most advanced treatments for prostate cancer, minimizing the likelihood of definitive side effects.
However, even with the best possible treatments, both surgery and radiation therapy can cause a number of side effects that are of great concern to patients.
Some of the most common consequences of the more traditional prostate cancer treatments are problems with sex life and urinary incontinence.
Problems with sex life after prostate cancer
This is one of the major concerns of patients undergoing prostate cancer treatment.
There are several focal treatments that almost certainly guarantee that the patient will not suffer from this problem.
Focal treatment of prostate cancer using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), cryotherapy (Cryo) or irreversible electroporation (IRE) allows the prostate to be preserved, so that erectile function is not as affected as in other more invasive techniques. In addition, in most cases, these treatments also prevent the ejaculatory function from suffering any consequences, thus maintaining a full sexual life.
Urinary incontinence after prostate cancer treatment
With conventional surgical and radiotherapy treatments, urinary incontinence is a common symptom, but with focal therapies it is much less likely to occur.
Although voiding symptoms are common during the first few weeks, cryosurgery, HIFU and irreversible electroporation (IRE) significantly reduce the risks in the medium to long term. In most cases, urinary flow is objectively improved and the absence of urinary incontinence is achieved.
It should not be forgotten that not all treatments are for all patients and some of these novel techniques do not ensure cure in all cases, so it will be the specialist who decides the most appropriate technique to obtain the best oncological and functional results.