Previous Page | Next Page
COMPLICATIONS AFTER PROSTATECTOMY OR RADIOTHERAPY
FOR PROSTATE CANCER
Because it is unclear whether radical prostatectomy or Radiotherapy is more likely to cure clinically localized prostate cancer, treatment side effects assume particular importance in guiding patients decisions. In this community-based study, researchers compared complication rates for 1156 prostatectomy patients and 435 external-beam radiotherapy patients from the 6 U.S. geographic areas.
The prostatectomy group had more cardiopulmonary complications within 2 months after treatment (6% vs. 2%) and more treatments for urinary strictures within 12 months after diagnosis (17% vs. 7%) than did the radiotherapy group. In contrast, radiation procitis occurred in 19% of the radiotherapy group.
On surveys, completed at 2 years, prostatectomy patients were significantly more likely to be bothered by dripping or leaking urine then were radiotherapy patients (12% vs. 2%) and -among men younger than 60-significantly more likely to be bothered by sexual dysfunction (75% vs. 40%). In contrast, radiotherapy patients were significantly more likely than prostatectomy patients to report diarrhea (33% vs. 22%) or bowel urgency (30% vs. 16%), but few patients in either group were bothered by these symptoms.
Comment: These results should guide patients with localized prostate cancer who are considering aggressive intervention. In general, urinary and sexual dysfunction are more likely after surgery, and bowel symptoms are more likely after radiotherapy.
Previous Page | Next Page
Return to the Perry Hookman, M.D., P.A. Home Page