The American Urological Association Prostate Cancer Panel reviewed complications of the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The literature that has been published in this area is inadequate and frustrating. Many reports simply do not mention complications. The complications that have been reported vary greatly from one series to another, and specific complications are defined differently by different authors. However, the degree to which proctitis is a problem after treatment is difficult to determine from the published data.
Incontinence is common after radical prostatectomy.
Moreover, the interpretation of the effect of this outcome is clearly an emotional issue. Impotence is also often viewed as a demoralizing result of radical prostatectomy. Impotence is common after this surgical procedure and is almost inevitable unless a nerve-sparing surgical technique is used. The patient should certainly understand and agree to the surgeon's intent. The informed patient is almost always willing to accept impotence if he understands the need for wide removal of the prostate.