Because prostate cancer treatment often damages healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Side effects depend mainly on the type and extent of the prostate cancer treatment. Side effects may not be the same for each man, and they may change from one treatment session to the next.
At any stage of disease, supportive care is available to:
Control pain and other symptoms
Relieve the side effects of prostate cancer treatment
Ease emotional concerns.
Prostate Cancer Treatment: Questions to Consider
Things to ask your doctor as you consider prostate cancer treatment options include:
Is your cancer truly confined to the prostate gland, or has it spread to nearby -- or even distant -- parts of your body?
Is it aggressive or slow-growing?
What is your general health status?
Are you young enough so that even a slow-growing cancer might someday pose a threat?
Are you healthy enough for surgery?
Are you willing to risk serious, lifelong side effects to possibly reduce your chances of a cancer-related death?
How important is it for you, in your work or recreation, to maintain bladder or bowel control?
How important is it to be able to have erections?
Would you find it too worrisome to live with an untreated cancer or too stressful to face frequent monitoring?
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