Patient/caregiver was instructed upon complications of radical prostatectomy for treatment of prostate cancer as follows:
Radical prostatectomy for treatment of prostate cancer involves total surgical removal of the prostate and all the involved lymph nodes around. As prostate gland is located close to urinary system (urinary bladder & urethra) and sexual organs (penis), the surgery can have an impact on these neighboring organs, thus affecting urine flow and sexual performance.
Complications of radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer treatment include
- Frequent urge and nocturia: Irritation of the urinary bladder due to damage from surgery can cause frequent bladder contractions, increased urge to urinate, thus contributing to frequency. Increased frequency, especially during the night (nocturia) can lead to sleep disturbance and multiple restroom trips.
- Weak stream of urine and reduced urine output volume: Inflammation and damage to the urethra from surgery can lead to narrowing down of urethra. This can result in weak stream of urine and pose difficulty to pass urine at a constant pace, leading to reduced volume of urine output during urination.
- Urinary incontinence: Surgery could damage the nerves controlling the urine flow and muscles in the pelvic floor helping with maintaining continence. This leads to urinary incontinence with episodes of urine leakage.
