Are there side effects to treatment for urinary system cancers?

Yes, every type of treatment for urinary system cancers has the potential to produce side effects, which can range from mild to severe and from short-term to long-term. The side effects of surgery can be relatively mild, such as short-term bleeding and swelling, but there is a risk that the organs affected by the cancer, such as the bladder or kidneys, or the surrounding organs, such as the spleen or the penis, can be damaged and cease to function normally. The side effects associated with chemotherapy can be short-term, such as fatigue, nausea, and hair loss, or, less commonly, long-term, such as infertility. Radiation therapy can have such short-term side effects as rashes, fatigue, and nausea, or in rare cases long-term problems with urinary functions, cognitive functions, or headaches. Biological treatment can have relatively mild side effects, such as bladder discomfort or flu-like symptoms, but it can also have severe side effects such as heart attacks, kidney damage, or breathing difficulties. Targeted therapy can cause fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and other relatively mild and short-term side effects, but it can also cause congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and other more serious side effects. When determining the right course of treatment for your particular urinary system cancer, you and your doctor will need to evaluate your overall health, the severity of the cancer, and the potential side effects of appropriate treatments.