PROSTATE
CANCER CRYOTHERAPY
Cryosurgery Procedures
Prostate Cancer Cryotherapy
Treatment Side Effects:
Urinary Incontinence
One side effect of cryosurgery
in prostate cancer patients is incontinence, the
inability to control urine flow. During cryosurgical
ablation the urethra and urinary sphincter
may be affected, resulting in some loss of control
in the body effectively emptying the bladder.
There are varying types of urinary incontinence
and differing degrees of severity. Some men experience
small leaking while others will experience a total
loss of urine control after prostate
cancer treatment.
Types of Male Incontinence
The most common type of male incontinence after cryosurgical treatments is stress incontinence. Stress incontinence involves loss of urine with a cough, sneeze, or laugh. Most patients will recover quickly, but for a few, it can take up to three years for a full recovery of urine control.
Less common types of urinary incontinence for prostate cancer patients are urge incontinence and overflow incontinence. Urge incontinence is when a patient cannot get to the bathroom in time and overflow incontinence disrupts proper urine flow, leaving the bladder constantly full.
Incontinence Treatments
Incontinence can be treated in numerous ways, including:
Kegal Excercies
Kegal exercises strengthen some of the muscles responsible for controlling the flow of urine. This simple form of exercise can be done at home to help treat stress urinary incontinence and urge incontinence. The exercise can be done anywhere in a sitting or lying position. It requires a patient to contract the muscles used to stop urinating without tightening the stomach or buttocks. Each contract of the muscle needs to last three seconds and then relax for three seconds; this is typically done ten to fifteen times in a sequence. For this exercise to be effective, it must be done three times a day on a regular basis.
Behavior Modification
A behavior modification can also be effective in treating urinary incontinence. Male incontinence can be aggravated by drinking alcohol or by taking antidepressants, sedatives, narcotics, and eating spices. Avoiding these substances and urinating regularly can also be effective.
Medications
Various medications are available to increase bladder capacity and decrease the need to urinate frequently. Decongestants may also be prescribed to help tighten urethral muscles.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation can be used to retrain and strengthen weak urinary muscles and improve bladder control. This procedure involves a probe inserted into the anus that creates a current of electricity that causes a contraction. When the device is on, the patient is instructed to squeeze the muscle.
Collagen Injection
Another treatment option is to inject collagen to the weakened areas in the attempt to make the area stronger. This treatment is only effect for a few months and may require repeated injections.
Artificial Sphincter
In serious male incontinence situations, an artificial
sphincter may be implanted. This minimal risk
implant can greatly improve the majority of patients
with serious incontinence issues. The artificial
sphincter involves a cuff that encircles the urethra
to prevent leakage and a pump that patients squeeze
when they want to urinate.
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