When prostate cancer is not treated, a whole host of complications can occur. The typical complications of untreated prostate cancer include:
- Spread of cancer: Prostate cancer can spread to nearby organs and bones and can be life-threatening.
- Pain: Although early-stage prostate cancer typically isn't painful, once it spreads to bones, it may produce severe pain. In most cases the pain is severe and requires some form of treatment. These treatments may include hormonal therapy, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. If these treatments aren't successful in relieving pain, a pain management consult is required. In most cases, narcotics are required to relieve the pain.
- Urinary incontinence: Prostate cancer can cause varying degrees of incontinence. Treatments may include behavior modifications, exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles (Kegel exercises), drugs and catheters. If the above fail, complex surgery is required with no guarantee that it will work.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence: Like incontinence, ED can be a result of prostate cancer. Various drugs and mechanical devices are available that may assist in achieving an erection. Current drugs include Sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra). When all these fail, surgical penile implant is the last resort to help achieve an erection.
- Depression. Whenever a diagnosis of cancer is made, it is natural for all individuals to develop depression. The severity and duration of depression may determine the treatment. When depression affects one’s ability to manage life and family, treatment is recommended. Treatment may involve psychological counseling or drug therapy. In many cases, a combination of the two therapies often is successful.
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