Long-Term Adverse Effects and Complications After Treatment

Posted by jeff Marchi @jeffmarc, Nov 16, 2024

This link takes you to a 12 year study on the difference between surgery and radiation side effects. It shows that radiation has fewer side effects in some areas and the possibility of more in other areas of the body.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2826069

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

johndavis60 | @johndavis60 | Aug 22, 2025

Thanks for posting this Jeff. I already did prostatectomy this year and I’m about to go through 39 sessions of radiation in sept/oct/nov. so, I guess I’ll get to experience all these side effects. Although I’m not sure I need to worry to much about what happens in 12 years from now. If I don’t have these treatments I definitely won’t need to worry about 12 years from now. ADT is going ok though …. So far!

surftohealth88 | @surftohealth88 | Aug 22, 2025

In reply to @q95oldies "Exactly what my Urologist had me do." + (show)

I usually do not defend doctors but in our case urologist told my husband (while he was on AS and PSA 4) that he would benefit from further evaluation. My husband asked what would be better, MRI or biopsy and doctor explained that MRI as a first step is better since it will examine the whole gland and biopsy without MRI would be just random sampling BUT that insurance does not cover MRI as the first step but covers a biopsy. My husband than payed MRI out of pocket and it did show small lesion.
So, it might be that insurance coverage plays a role in what doctor would suggest. Just a thought, maybe I am wrong.

heavyphil | @heavyphil | Aug 23, 2025

In reply to @chuckster1957 "Sorry to hear all that . You are a warrior. I know it's not like you..." + (show)

Chuckster, look into Tymlos or Forteo - both bone builders.
Reclast works differently and is a bisphosphonate which have some risky side effects.
Don’t get me wrong - ALL these drugs have SE’s - but some are less impactful than others. You really need to read as much as you can and consult with a good* endocrinologist.
*one who doesn’t get a bonus for every RX written😖