Possible complications and consequences of radiotherapy
General
In radiation therapy, so-called "acute" and "late effects" distinguished. Among the "acute reactions" refers to side effects (exactly: during the first twelve weeks after the start of radiotherapy) during the period of radiotherapy may occur - but by no means have to. Are typical, especially if you are irradiated with a full bladder, an increase in the frequency of urination and, regardless of bowel movements. This can be explained by the fact that portions of the bladder and the rectum are almost to the sphincter directly in the radiation field or in its vicinity. This leads to a slight inflammatory irritation and it often arises in the course of the weeks of irradiation, the feeling of having bowel motions without really comes defecation.Similarly, it is urinating. Occasionally, an infection of the bladder that needs to be treated with antibiotics. If you suffer from hemorrhoids, these symptoms may be exacerbated. Rarely by these hemorrhoids blood in the stool deposits.
During radiotherapy Your attending doctor will usually see once a week to discuss any problems with you and treat this. Emergence of problems outside this office hours, please do not hesitate to tell this to your doctor anyway. The acute reactions described may be generally very well treated by the use of dietary measures and with the help of medication. At the end of the irradiation, these acute reactions make it back very quickly and completely. If you are exposed to the Lymphabflusswegen, so some additional points to consider. Since the radiation fields are larger than in the radiotherapy alone, the spectrum of acute and late reactions is somewhat expanded. It may in this case to occasional nausea and vomiting may occur as well as to an increase in diarrhea, which are highly treatable with medication.
Rarely there may be so-called long-term consequences of the large intestine or the bladder even after years. This can manifest itself in chronic diarrhea, possibly with blood in stools or bloody urine. Severe late effects that greatly affect your quality of life, are now become very rare. The probability of this happening is less than 3-4%. In the case of radiotherapy after radical surgery, this probability is even lower and that 1-2%. After the radiation of the lymphatic drainage, it may cause a narrowing of the small intestine with a probability of one to two percent. This narrowing has to be surgically removed, but it heals without consequence from.Also, the potency may be adversely affected by the sole radiotherapy. An estimation of the probability is difficult, as in most patients between the ages 60 - 75 years, the power decreases in a natural way. Approximately You must be aware that by radiotherapy in 30 - a slow loss of potency occurs 50% of cases within five years. However, this power loss is very well treatable in about 75% of the cases these days with medication.
Permanent seed implantation
Basically, the definitions of acute and late side effects as in the external beam radiotherapy also apply here. The possible side effects are similar, but there are some differences. In the possible acute reactions, in addition results in the slight risk of a urine Verhaltes after application and the risks of anesthesia. Very rare individual seeds from the prostate can "migrate" and go eg to the lungs, which usually causes but no complaints. Very rare incontinence, that is, the loss of the ability of the Harnhaltens possible. Otherwise, serious side effects are rare here.
Afterloading therapy in conjunction with a percutaneous radiotherapy
Basically there are the possible side effects of external beam radiotherapy. Because of the lower total dose but side effects are even rarer. The additional afterloading therapy several other acute and late side effects are also possible. In addition to the risks of anesthesia can cause bleeding, which are well controlled, however, by the position of the needles. In addition, through the two high one-dose radiation, the risk of chronic inflammation of the rectum and the bladder, both occurs but rarely.
Treatment options for Impotence after radiotherapy
For the treatment of impotence, various methods are available:
- Drugs in tablet form effect on different targets an extension of the feeding vessels to the corpora cavernosa. These act according to recent data in 60-80% of cases.
- Drugs that are injected directly into the corpora cavernosa (erectile tissue SKAT = auto-injection therapy) act independently of an intact nerve supply and are therefore at 75-80% of the patients effectively. The spraying is shown by the treating urologist and can be performed even.
- Vacuum pumps are also independent of the nerve supply of the corpora cavernosa and thus effective in a high percentage.
The urologist is the contact for potency problems and the therapy to the individual patient preferences park.
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