Side Effects and Complications of Treatment Options for Low-risk Prostate Cancer
| RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY | EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY | SEED IMPLANT BRACHYTHERAPY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIDE EFFECTS (EXPECTED effects of treatment if no complications) | |||
| time required | one operation | 43 daily treatment | one operation |
| time off work | 3-4 weeks | none | 2 days |
| surgical procedure | major | none | minor |
| anesthesia needed | 3-4 hours | none | 30-40 minutes |
| hospitalization | 2-5 days | none | 4 hours |
| pain | postoperative | none | minimal |
| surgical scar(s) | yes | none | none |
| urinary frequency | while recovering | 2 months | 4 months |
| burning | no | mild | moderate |
| bowel frequency | no | common | unlikely |
| anal discomfort | no | common | unlikely |
| fatigue | common during recovery | uncommon during treatment | no |
| COMPLICATIONS (unlikely but POSSIBLE acute problems, or long-term effects of treatment) | |||
| bleeding (postoperative) | x | ||
| infection (postoperative) | x | ||
| anesthetic complications | x | x | |
| pulmonary embolus (blood clot) | x | ||
| incontinence of urine | x | x | |
| rectal bleeding | x | ||
| anal discomfort | x | ||
| urinary urgency/burning | x | x | |
| urinary stricture | x | x | |
| LOSS OF POTENCY (if fully potent initially) | |||
| total loss | 100% initially; 40-60% recover | possible, later | possible, later |
| erectile dysfunction | frequent in those who recover | frequent (over several years) | frequent (over several years) |
| scant ejaculate | yes | yes | yes |