Dr. Rahul Tendulkar on Managing Side Effects of Radical Prostatectomy

Rahul Tendulkar, MD, associate staff, radiation oncology, Cleveland Clinic, discusses the side effects of a radical prostatectomy for men with prostate cancer.

A radical prostatectomy can impact men in different ways, says Tendulkar. Erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are the most common side effects, he says. These side effects can improve overtime. Some studies show that it can 1 or 2 years after a radical prostatectomy for these symptoms to completely subside.

Oncologists and oncology nurses should talk to their patients about how these symptoms impact their quality of life. Each patient may have different priorities and it is important to keep the conversation ongoing. A lot of times patients may be uncomfortable talking about side effects associated with radical prostatectomy, and oncologists need to be aware of that, says Tendulkar.