Chemotherapy is used for men whose prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland and for whom hormone treatment has not been successful. Chemotherapy uses high doses of drugs, given intravenously or by mouth, to kill cancer cells. The treatment may help slow tumor growth and reduce pain. Because chemotherapy does not kill all the cancer cells, it is not recommended for treating early stages of the disease.
The side effects of the various cancer treatments include:
• problems with sexual function such as erectile dysfunction or loss of sex drive
• problems with urination such as frequent urination, incontinence, blockage of urine flow, blood in the urine, or a burning sensation while urinating
• problems with bowel function such as diarrhea, blood in the stool, or irritation
• swelling of the penis, scrotum, or prostate
• bruising of, pain in, or damage to the treatment area or nearby tissues
• nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• breast enlargement or tenderness, hot flashes, or osteoporosis
• fatigue, infection, heart disease, hair loss, or sores in the mouth
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