Prostate Cancer

[livingwith]

i had external radition for prostate cancer in 1998. now and since 2005 i have had a number of cather inserts to relieve blockage due to scar tissue caused by radiation. doctor goes in and scrapes scar tissue but it only helps for a few months and blockage returns. does anyone have symptoms like this....Read the full article

[RocketMan]

Please know that this is not uncommon I'm told by my husband's urologist. Husband has had a turp and radical turp...has had many many painful blockages and emergency room visits and hospital stays to remedy. He had brachytherapy (radioactive seed implants in prostate) that severely damaged his bladder (it is 1/5 the size of a normal bladder and is not elastic). It also adversely affected other tissue and organs. He finally had a double cuff artificial urinary sphincter and was fine for a while but scar tissue returned again and again until the procedures and catheterizations finally eroded the tissue beneath the cuffs and had to have the AUS removed. He has also had the entire interior of the prostate and all seeds removed, leaving just the outer shell of the prostate. Now he free flows with ZERO control. He also has a leak of urine into his body after the last surgery (guess the Dr. nicked the tissue or it just tore) and is scheduled to see if the leak is healed. (He heals very very slowly or not at all.) Dr. is now suggesting a male bladder sling to try and slow down the constant flow of urine. Husband is not sure this will be beneficial after researching but Dr. insists it is a good strategy. Also may try another AUS later. If all else fails Dr is considering a complete replacement of the urethra with either my husbands own scrotal tissue or pig tissue. Prostate cancer may be gone (thankfully) but the brachytherapy radiation sure did a number on my husband. It has severely and permanently altered his lifestyle and quality of life. Also note...Dr. says he has several patients who have the scar tissue issues. Good luck with yours.