Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer occurring in men in the United States, according to 2010 information from RadiologyInfo.org. Prostate radiation is one form of treatment for prostate cancer. There are two types of radiation used to treat prostate cancer: External beam radiation uses an outside machine to deliver the beams of energy to the prostate. During internal radiation, the physician places radioactive material near the prostate. Both external and internal prostate radiation can cause after-effects that may become permanent.
Proctitis
One possible after-effect of prostate radiation is the condition proctitis, according to MayoClinic.com. The condition is caused by inflammation of the lining of the rectum, and causes pain and a constant feeling of the need to have a bowel movement. Proctitis can also cause rectal bleeding. Doctors may prescribe different treatments like steroids to control the bleeding from this condition; some patients require further therapy like laser treatments to manage it.
Diarrhea
According to Cancer Research UK, some men may have recurrent diarrhea after radiation therapy of the prostate. Management of this condition may require changes in diet, and some patients may also have to take anti-diarrheal medications as needed indefinitely. According to the American Cancer Society, changes in radiation therapy techniques have decreased the occurrence of bowel problems.
Urinary Problems
Radiation of the prostate can cause a narrowing of the urethra, which connects the bladder to the penis, according to Cancer Research UK. Men with this problem may have trouble passing urine and sometimes need a surgical procedure to widen the urethra so that urine may pass. Radiation therapy may also cause urinary incontinence whereby the man may leak small amounts of urine or may have little urinary control.
Erection Problems
Another possible after-effect of prostate radiation is impotence due to nerve damage in the area. According to the American Cancer Society, impotence develops over time after the radiation; about half the men who were able to have normal erections prior to the radiation became impotent within five years following radiation. Men who had problems with erections before treatment are more likely to have problems afterward. Medications like Viagra may be of benefit to these patients.
