When an Iowa man is diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, it may be recommended that he consider certain treatment options that could include prostate cancer surgery. However, a long-term study found that those with localized tumors did not benefit from the surgery. In fact, the risk for complications was particularly high even though those who had the procedure done did not live longer than those who did not have the surgery done.
The study, which was conducted over a 20-year period, found that, for every 100 men who had been diagnosed with early prostate cancer, only four fewer died directly due to cancer than those who were not given the surgery. However, for every 100 men that did have the surgery, 30 developed urinary incontinence, 30 to 40 developed erectile dysfunction and 40 said that they were dissatisfied with their sex life.
It was noted, however, that there were some problems with the study due to the fact that men where chosen based on a life expectancy of 10 years, though about half of the participants had died at the 10-year mark. Essentially, the argument was that men who may have seen benefits later in life may not have survived long enough.
Every year, approximately 161,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. The disease reportedly kills about 27,000 men every year. As such, it is important to receive treatment that is appropriate based on what stage the person was diagnosed at and other factors. If a radical procedure was completed that resulted in serious complications or a worsened medical condition the affected patient might want to seek the advice and counsel of a medical malpractice attorney.