| Orchietomy is a radical prostate cancer treatment in | | | | 90% however the concentration of oestrogen, the |
| which the testicles are completely removed. This is | | | | female hormone will remain the same. This means that |
| done because most cases of prostate cancer | | | | on occasion breast tenderness, growth of the breast |
| develop and progress because of the presence of | | | | tissue and osteoporosis can develop. Other side |
| male sex hormones, or more specifically testosterone | | | | effects include anaemia, weight gain, and depression |
| and this hormone is produced by the testes. | | | | and fatigue however your oncologist will be able to |
| This type of prostate cancer treatment is a form of | | | | explain each of the side effects in much more detail. |
| hormone therapy which works by manipulating the | | | | Before deciding for or against this form of prostate |
| hormone levels in the body so that the cancerous cells | | | | cancer treatment you need to decide what exactly |
| stop growing and dividing. While this therapy is known | | | | you want to get out of the treatment. If you want to |
| to have a positive effect on the cancer you must | | | | eliminate the cancer from your body then an |
| realise that the operation is non-reversible and the | | | | orchietomy is a possibility however there are other |
| chances of your sex life being affected are virtually | | | | ways to remove the cancer totally and these |
| 100%. | | | | alternative treatments have fewer and less severe |
| Men who have undergone this form of prostate | | | | side effects. If however you are 60+ and do not want |
| cancer treatment often report that their libido | | | | to have surgery then this procedure is not for you and |
| decreases and so does their desire to have sex. | | | | radiation therapy can be used to simply control the |
| Unfortunately even when they do have the desire for | | | | growth of the cancer. Similarly if you are still relatively |
| sexual intercourse they may find themselves to be | | | | young and do not want to be plagued with impotence |
| impotent and this can lead to psychological problems in | | | | and lack of sex drive then, again, an orchietomy is |
| the long term. These side affects of orchietomy are | | | | probably not the prostate cancer treatment for you. |
| very common and you should take them in to account | | | | Because impotence is a major side effect of this |
| and discuss them with your partner before you decide | | | | radical prostate cancer treatment you should think long |
| to undergo this form of prostate cancer treatment. | | | | and hard before agreeing to anything. Talk to your |
| Other side effects of this radical prostate cancer | | | | partner and your oncologist and look into the |
| treatment are associated with the unbalancing of the | | | | alternative forms of treatment. There may be a better |
| male and female hormone levels within the body. By | | | | one for you that only has temporary side effects so |
| removing the testicles the concentration of | | | | that after a few weeks or months you can once |
| testosterone in your body will be reduced by around | | | | again enjoy a full sex life. |