What are possible side effects of radiation therapy for prostate cancer?

Radiation therapy for prostate cancer can have impotence rates similar to surgery (urinary incontinence and impotence), but the risk of urinary incontinence is very low. Impotence may develop months to years after the radiation treatment, unlike with surgery, which tends to have the side effects occur immediately. Other side effects from radiation include:

• proctitis: inflammation of the rectum with bleeding and bowel problems such as diarrhea
• cystitis: inflammation of the bladder, leading to problems with urination, such as urinary frequency and urgency as well as bladder pain
• fatigue: feeling extremely tired, which will go away once treatment is over

Your radiation oncologist tries to limit the amount of radiation to other organs in order to minimize these side effects. However, the bladder and rectum can get some of the radiation because they are so close to the prostate.