Side Effects

Improvements in treatment delivery over the years have significantly reduced the severity of side effects of prostate cancer treatments. Nevertheless, it is important to understand how and why these effects occur, and to understand how best to minimize how these side effects, if they occur, will affect daily life.

There are six broad categories of side effects from that are typically associated with prostate cancer treatments: urinary dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, loss of fertility, effects due to the loss of testosterone, and side effects of chemotherapy. Depending on the treatment strategy used, some or all of these effects might be present. It’s also important to realize that not all symptoms are normal, and that some require immediate care. See When to Seek Help for more information.

A review of the roles of the prostate and its surrounding organs in the About the Prostate section can help in understanding how and why some of these effects occur.

Additional Reading:

Chapter 3: Maximizing Quality of Life After Initial Treatment

Prostate Cancer News: Treatment and Outcomes