Helathy+4SummerFall2023spreadsfinal - Flipbook - Page 13
“ Prostate cancer is really a spectrum of diseases. Not
every diagnosis warrants aggressive treatment, or
even any treatment at all.”
–Matthew Vernon, MD, Radiation Oncologist
Southwestern Vermont Regional Cencer Center
Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer: Surgery vs Radiation
Surgery
Radiation
Benefit:
Benefit:
The cancer is extracted by removing as
much of the prostate as possible. You
should experience fewer gastrointestinal
problems than if you have radiation.
Does not require you to be put under for surgery or to stay overnight
at the hospital. You may experience fewer problems with urination
than if you have surgery.
Treatment requirements:
Your cancer is painlessly treated with radiation once a day, 5 days
a week, for typically between 6 and 9 weeks (28 to 44 individual
treatments, depending on risk factors). There are other, shoer
treatment schemes that may be appropriate in select cases.
Surgery takes about 2 to 4 hours and
requires an overnight hospital stay.
Potential side effects and downsides:
• As with any major surgery, there
is some risk of pain, bleeding, and
infection.
• Use of a catheter may be required for 1
to 2 weeks aer surgery.
• You may experience incontinence,
or uncontrolled leakage of urine for
several weeks aer surgery. For about
10-15% of men, incontinence may be
permanent.
• You may experience trouble geing an
erection aer surgery.
Treatment requirements:
Potential side effects and downsides:
During Treatment
• You may experience more frequent and soer bowel movements.
• Your urge to urinate may be stronger and more frequent.
• Many patients also need medication to suppress the production of
testosterone. That medication may also produce side effects.
Aer Treatment
• You may develop erectile dysfunction within 5 years of treatment.
• Some patients can develop bleeding in the urine or stool.
• Radiation can (very rarely) cause a new cancer to form many years
aer treatment.
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