What are the possible side effects of prostate Brachytherapy?
Immediately after the operation, you may notice bruising beneath the scrotum and tenderness between the legs. These are the effects of the needle punctures. If you have marked discomfort, please let the nursing staff know.
During the operation, a catheter will be placed in your bladder to drain urine. Some blood in the urine is quite common immediately after the procedure. The catheter is usually removed a few hours later or the following morning. After catheter removal you will probably experience some burning on urinating and we will ensure you are able to pass urine naturally before your discharge. Approximately 10% of patients require a catheter for a week or more after the procedure.
Although prostate brachytherapy has fewer side effects compared to surgery or external beam radiotherapy, you will experience a temporary worsening of your urinary symptoms. This may include daytime or night time urinary frequency, a slow urinary stream and/or urgency. These side effects are usually due to radiation induced prostate swelling and irritation. It is often not until 3 months post implant that these symptoms begin to abate. However, despite these symptoms you will be able to continue with normal daily activities or work, as they can be partially alleviated by medication (e.g. alpha blockers, see below).
Rectal symptoms are less common, such as bowel frequency or looseness and occur 3-6 moths later. This is more common with additional external beam radiotherapy than with a brachytherapy implant on it’s own. These symptoms are usually self-limiting and often alleviated by simple medications (e.g. Imodium), although occasionally steroid suppositories are required.
Following brachytherapy, approximately two thirds of men retain the same sexual potency as they had prior to the procedure. One third of men (often those with reduced erection strength) have diminished potency. If this occurs, then non-hormonal methods of treatment (e.g. Viagra, Cialis), may assist.
