Common side-effects

Sexual problems

Prostate cancers, as well as their therapies, have an effect on fertility, and sexuality. If you intend to become a parent, you will receive dedicated sexuality support as well as preventative measures to prevent infertility.

Stress, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany a diagnosis sometimes result in a decline in desire. However, sexuality is more than just a matter of anatomy. Affection, tenderness, talking... are all examples of sexuality. Desire also returns in small doses over time. Since the body's appearance is altered, several questions can arise before, during, and after treatment. Difficulties may arise, such as the fear of being devalued in the eyes of the other, a loss of virility, a loss of self-esteem, and doubts about one's ability to seduce. Relationship and sexual issues may arise because of these issues. Communication and the resumption of an emotional and sexual life may be facilitated by addressing the topic within the couple. After the illness, with a satisfying mental and sexual life

If you're having trouble getting a good erection for sexual intercourse, there are a variety of therapies available. The more often, your doctor will prescribe you medication. Start with a pill if it doesn’t work there are other alternatives. Some are injected into the cavernous bodies* at the base of the penis (known as extracavernous injections), while others are in the form of a gel to be applied into the urinary meatus*. Erections can also be obtained with the aid of a vacuum pump. The use of a penile prosthesis can be suggested as a last resort.

To assist you during and after care, sex counselling and/or committed psychological support may be given. These consultations can include your partner. It can take some time to integrate and adapt to the disease's and treatment's physical and psychological effects. It's easier to relearn how to have sex when you have confidence and contact with your partner.

Digestive problems

Digestive side effects are rare, but the proximity of the prostate to the rectum makes it inevitable that some damage can occur with surgery or radiation. External beam radiation therapy can cause temporary colo-rectal effects, diarrhea and rectal inflammation or proctitis.

Long-term sequelae are rare with current radiation techniques, but diarrhea or increased stool frequency and rectal bleeding may persist. With brachytherapy, rectal symptoms are temporary.

Fatigue

Extreme exhaustion is referred to as fatigue. Cancer patients also experience fatigue. Fatigue may be exacerbated by a variety of factors, including the cancer itself, cancer scans and treatments, poor nutrition, low red blood cell counts (due to the cancer or its treatment), coping with stressful feelings and feeling nervous or depressed, poor sleep, or symptoms such as discomfort, breathlessness, or fluid retention.

After treatment, fatigue can last for several weeks or months.

If you are experiencing exhaustion, it is important that you inform your doctor or nurse so that they can assist you.

Urinary problems

Urinary symptoms induced by the treatment usually improve with time, but if they last for an extended period of time, discuss with your doctor of how he could help you. The following are some of the signs you can encounter:

• Urine leaking (urinary incontinence)
• Urine discharge is slowing down, and you're having trouble emptying your bladder completely.
• Frequently passing urine (more than 8 times a day).
• An urgent need to go to the bathroom (urgency)
• Urine with blood in it
• Nocturia, dysuria, low voided volumes, and even urinary retention

• The object of follow-up is twofold :

To keep an eye on the possibility of a recurrence* of the disease, or the reappearance of cancerous cells in the same or another part of the body; to provide the required supportive treatment to help you regain and/or maintain your quality of life. This includes not only the prevention and control of potential negative side effects of medications and disease complications, but also the management of the disease's psychological effects on the social and emotional life, and so on.

In collaboration with your GP, the specialist team that performed the procedure plays an important role in the follow-up. Other practitioners may be involved depending on the unfavourable results of the medications or the symptoms of the disease itself.

In most cases, monitoring is based on a clinical examination*, which may include a digital rectal examination* in some circumstances; and PSA* calculation. Other elements such as creatinine* and calcemia* can be calculated in some situations.

The follow-up modalities and rhythm are tailored to each event. These appointments are crucial, and they must be completed according to the schedule. The doctor will also inform you of any symptoms that may prompt you to seek medical advice outside of scheduled appointments. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, bone pain, leg weakness, inability to urinate, and so on.

• What follow-up/check-up will I need?

You will need to return to the hospital for routine check-ups after your cancer treatment has finished. This is referred to as follow-up. PSA checks and a possible digital rectal exam may be part of the follow-up (DRE). You'll see your consultant every three months at first, but these check-ups will become less regular as time goes by. For several years, you might have follow-up appointments to confirm your PSA. PSA examinations are performed at the hospital for some men and at the own GP's office for others.

Handling the emotional impact of Prostate cancer

Learn more about the emotional impact

Confused ?

See our glossary for any terms you didnt quite understand.

Prostate cancer glossery