There are a number of possible side effects that may occur following high dose rate brachytherapy, many of which are temporary and able to be alleviated.

Infection:

Although rare, it is possible to develop a urinary tract infection after high dose rate brachytherapy. The symptoms of a urinary tract infection include: urinary frequency, urgency, painful urination, poor flow and fevers. At the time of discharge you will be given a course of antibiotics to take for 3 days to help prevent this. Should you develop any of these symptoms contact Dr Swindle.

Urinary Retention:

Occasionally patients can have difficulty voiding due to swelling of the prostate and narrowing of the urethra after high dose rate brachytherapy. This can result in the inability to pass urine and a catheter is required to drain the urine. The catheter is usually then left in for approximately 10 days.

This occurs in 5% of patients undergoing high dose rate brachytherapy. The symptoms of urinary retention are: the inability to pass urine, a constant desire to urinate and intense lower abdominal pain. If this occurs go to you nearest emergency department and contact Dr Swindle.

Sexual Dysfunction:

High dose rate brachytherapy may affect the quality of erections. Approximately 20-30% of men report some degree of loss of erectile function and this may be higher if patients are also being treated with hormone therapy. This is very variable and depends on the age of the patient and the quality of their erections prior to the brachytherapy. Some men also report a decrease in the intensity of orgasms and a reduction in the semen quantity. There is also a high probability that brachytherapy will make you infertile and unable to father children. It should however not be relied on as contraceptive technique.

Urethral Stricture:

A small number of men develop narrowings of the water pipe (urethra) following brachytherapy. These are commonly referred to as urethral strictures and can be easily dealt with by a minor surgical procedure to open up the urethra. They occur in approximately 5-10% of men undergoing brachytherapy.

Numbness of the penis:

Occasionally men develop numbness of the penis which may last several months. The numbness will resolve on its own and usually requires no specific treatment.

Incontinence:

Following high dose rate brachytherapy, incontinence is rare and occurs in less than 5% of patients.

Recto-prostatic Fistula:

This is an extremely rare complication where there is a communication between the bowel and the prostate. If this occurs further major surgery may be required to fix the fistula.