About this topic
Cancer happens when normal cells in the body grow out of control. The prostate is a part of the mans body that helps make semen. The prostate is located at the base of the penis and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer begins in the tissues of the prostate. Doctors treat prostate cancer in a number of ways like surgery, radiation, or drugs called chemo. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- If you had surgery, follow your doctors orders for wound care.
- If you are having chemo or radiation, your doctor may give you drugs to help prevent you from feeling sick or other side effects.
- You may have a tube called a catheter to drain urine for 7 to 10 days. The catheter tube drains the urine into a bag.
- Make sure to keep this tube in place until your doctor removes the tube.
- Wash your hands before and after handling your catheter.
- Care for the tube:
- Wash the skin around the catheter with soap and water each day. Pat your skin dry.
- Do not put anything on the tube.
- Keep the tube secure. Do not let the tube pull or catch when you are moving around.
- Do not let the tube kink or loop.
- Care for the drainage bag:
- Keep your urine bag below your bladder.
- Drain the bag often. You will lower your chance of getting an infection.
- Wear cotton underwear.
- You may have blood in your urine.
- You should drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to help flush blood or any clots. Blood clots will keep the urine from draining.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits. You may need more blood work, tests, or treatment.
- If you have a catheter, your doctor will check your catheter and take it out in about 1 to 2 weeks.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Treat side effects like an upset stomach or throwing up
- Help with hard or loose stools
- Help with problems with sex
Will physical activity be limited?
Rest is important. Your activity level will depend on your procedure or treatment. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Ask your doctor when you can return to your normal activities. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
If you had surgery, your diet will slowly move back to normal. Your diet is based on how well you handle liquids and soft foods. Eating a healthy diet is important during this time. If you need help ask to see a dietitian. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Hole in the bladder
- Trouble passing urine
- Problems having an erection
- You may not be able to father a child
- Low mood or desire to have sex
- Cancer can return
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection like a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher and chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal.
- No urine is coming out of your catheter
- Urine that has changed in color or new bleeding
- No urine is coming out of your penis after the catheter is removed
- Upset stomach and throwing up is not stopped by the drugs you are taking
- Bleeding
- Pain does not go away even after taking your drugs
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what kind of treatment I will be having.
- I can tell you how to care for my catheter.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have no urine coming out of my catheter or the urine has changed color.
Where can I learn more?
National Cancer Institute ‚
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/prostate/Patient/page1/AllPages ‚
National Institute of Health ¢ ˆ ’ Senior Health ‚
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/prostatecancer/toc.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚