Radiation Therapy Can Trigger Bladder Symptoms
Some men and women diagnosed with IC are stunned to learn that they may have radiation cystitis, a side effect of prior radiation therapy/exposure for prostate, bladder or cervical cancer. Mild symptoms can include frequency and urgency. More severe cases can include bladder spasms, severe pain and profuse bleeding (aka hemorrhagic cystitis). The most severe patients may experience bladder obstruction, ulceration, necrosis and loss of bladder function. Treatments may include bladder washouts to remove blood clots, continuous bladder irrigation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, laser ablation of the bleeding blood vessels as well as other therapies.
Ref: Klaassen Z. ESOU 2019: Radiation Cystitis: Nightmare Complications of Surgery and Radiotherapy. UroToday. – https://www.urotoday.com/conference-highlights/esou-2019/esou-2019-prostate-cancer/109774-esou-2019-how-to-deal-with-nightmare-complications-of-surgery-and-radiotherapy-radiation-cystitis.html