The following description of the four functions may be impaired related to prostate cancer and treatment.
1. urinary function
At normal function, urinary sphincters (muscular tissue at the base of the bladder and in the prostate base) remains closed, preventing urine stored in the bladder to leak out.
Urination, urinary sphincters relaxation so that the urine will be able to flow from the bladder through the urethra and out of the body.
During prostatectomy, bladder pulled down and connected to the urethra at the point where the prostate is located. Prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the prostate.
If the sphincter at the base of the bladder is damaged during prostatectomy, or damaged during radiation therapy, there will be incontinence or leakage.
2. Bowel function
Solid waste that has been filtered to removed from the body moving slowly in the gut. In normal circumstances, the resulting feces excreted through the anus with a conscious relaxation by anal sphincter.
Damage to the rectum because of the radiation or surgery (rarely happens), will lead to bowel problems, including rectal bleeding or diarrhea.
3. S*xual function
When the nerve is damaged during prostatectomy erectile erectile capability would then be lost. S*xual desire is not affected, but the interruption of or damage to the nerves can cause erectile dysfunction.
Erectile nerves can also be damaged due to radiation therapy, although the process is slower.
Modern techniques in surgery (nerve-sparing), radiation (intensity modulated radiation therapy in, positioning devices, 3-D technology), and the placement of the seeds (brachytherapy) has been developed to minimize side effects, and this process continues to be improved.
4. Fertility / Fertility
Approximately 10% of men with prostate cancer, the cancer has spread to the seminal vesicles or nearby.
If it happens, it will usually be the seminal vesicles also were raised during prostatectomy and radiation therapy target for.
Appointment of the prostate and seminal vesicles will cause men to be sterile. After surgical removal, ejaculation will be dry, but still be able to have an org'sm.
