HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Frequent Urge To Urinate After Radiation Treatment For Prostate Cancer?

Posted on Wed, 10 Sep 2014

Question: 2 years ago I had external beam radiation for prostate cancer. My PSA is .01 and I have no Prostate enlargement. I noticed that i now have a decrease in the caliber of my urinary stream and have bouts of urgent urination. My bladder seems to empty OK thought at times i have to double void. I have no infection or blood in urine . I take flomax. Stream is better when bladder is real full. Is this a concern and do you have any suggestions. Is this just a side affect of the Radiation? I do have discomfort when I urinate most of the time.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Due to stricture urethra due to radiation .

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query,based on the facts that you have posted it appears that you had radiation treatment for cancer of Prostate 2 years back and now have urgency for urination and poor stream.

This is due to narrowing (Stricture) of the posterior urethra which is known complication of radiotherapy..

Please consult qualified Urologist and get following basic tests done to confirm the diagnosis.
1) Ultrasound scanning of abdomen and pelvis to know the Post Void Residual urine volume .
2) Endoscopic Examination of urinary passage .

You may need to dilate urinary passage at frequent intervals .That will help to keep the passage wide open to improve urine flow and empty the bladder completely during every act of urination.

For urgency you can take antimuscuranic drugs like Darifenacin once daily.

Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions ,
I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (37 minutes later)

Thanks for your good opinion as to what I should have done. I did have the ultra sound and it showed my bladder was emptying very normal. I will ask my urolgist about doing Endoscopic exam. Any meds or sujestions on relieving the urinary discomfort when urinating?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Medicine has little role to play.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.
All your symptoms are due to mechanical obstruction to flow of urine hence medicines has very little role to play.

Please go ahead and get Cystoscopy done to confirm the diagnosis.
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar