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Definition |
EBRT and I-125 low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy may cause urinary, sexual- and bowel dysfunction. Both methods can result in irritative voiding symptoms, such as urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence, that negatively affect overall urinary function and HRQoL [639]. In the radiotherapy group, urinary incontinence was reported to be at its worst by 2 months after surgery, but the effects of EBRT on urinary symptoms had resolved at 12 months and improved over baseline at 24 months [639]. Patients in the LDR brachytherapy group reported significant detriments in urinary irritation or obstruction and incontinence. At 1-2 years after LDR brachytherapy, incontinence was reported by 4-6% of patients. Eighteen percent of the LDR brachytherapy group and 11% of the EBRT group reported distress from overall urinary symptoms at 1 year.
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