Prostate Cancer Survivors in Salt Lake City

As a survivor of prostate cancer, you may be experiencing the side effects of radiation therapy or surgery that treated your cancer. Board-certified urologist, William Brant, MD, FACS, FECSM understands how overwhelming prostate cancer treatments can feel, and he and his team offer comprehensive care at his urology clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah. Whether you need treatment for erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence, there’s help available.

Dr. Brant’s fellowship focused on medical and surgical treatments for penile disorders, including plastic and reconstructive issues in penile deformities and erectile dysfunction, as well as prosthetic surgeries for erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. He is also a member of multiple medical organizations, including the American Urological Association, the Sexual Medicine Society, and the Society of Urologic Prosthetic Surgeons. He has authored over 100 works, including various chapters in 6 textbooks of Urology.

Schedule a consultation in Salt Lake City today. Men from all across the intermountain west including Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, and Utah are willing to travel to Salt Lake City to consult with Dr. Brant given his urologic expertise.

Prostate Cancer Survivors Q & A

Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers in men and, while it continued to be deadly in some cases, treatments have evolved dramatically over the last decades.  Although there are many alternatives, the most common therapies are surgical removal (prostatectomy, often done with the aid of robotic tools) and radiation based therapies (for example, IMRT, CRT, brachytherapy, HDR, etc).

Although these therapies are often life-saving, there are side effects associated with each.  Men will read about a variety of how often or not various side effects may occur (some of the statisitics are accurate, some less so), but—as we always say to patients—if it happens to YOU, it happens 100% of the time.

In general, the most common side effects that we address in our clinic are erectile dysfunction and urinary control issues (mainly incontinence).  There are excellent treatments for both of these, and they will be addressed in the following sections:

• Erectile Dysfunction
• Urinary Incontinence

What services are available for prostate cancer survivors?

While the therapy you receive for prostate cancer may have saved your life, the side effects of treatment can impact the quality of that life.

William Brant, MD, FACS, FECSM, and his team offer several services that help prostate cancer survivors overcome the sexual side effects of cancer treatment. They offer comprehensive care and customized treatment plans that may include:

• Penile implants
• Penile injections
• Medication therapy
• Urethral suppositories
• Vacuum erection device (VED)
• Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (which you may have seen as LiSWT, Acoustic wave, Gainswave or True Pulse Protocol)

You can also get help for issues you have with urinary incontinence, which causes unexpected leaks of urine when you cough or sneeze, or makes it difficult for you to make it to the bathroom in time.

When should I consider treatment for prostate cancer-related symptoms?

Your recovery from prostate cancer takes time, and you may not notice the side effects of your treatment until you’re well on the road to recovery.

Dr. Brant may suggest that you schedule a diagnostic evaluation if you experience frequent difficulties getting or maintaining an erection. He works closely with you on the right treatment plan to help you overcome sexual dysfunction in the earliest stages.

You should also seek an evaluation as soon as you begin to notice urine leaks or if your usual urine leaks become more frequent. Dr. Brant can determine which type of therapy is a good fit for your needs and help you avoid embarrassing accidents. By scheduling an evaluation right away, you may be able to treat incontinence with conservative treatments and behavioral changes instead of a more invasive procedure.

What can I expect during my initial evaluation for prostate cancer-related symptoms?

During your initial evaluation, Dr. Brant takes the time to review your personal and family medical history, especially where it concerns your cancer treatment. He also performs a physical exam and discusses the severity of symptoms you experience regarding urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

He creates a treatment plan based on your specific needs, often starting with conservative treatments before recommending surgery. For instance, He may recommend erectile dysfunction medications before suggesting shockwave therapy or penile implants.

For urinary incontinence, Dr. Brant may suggest bladder training exercises, behavior changes, and the use of absorbent pads before recommending sling surgery.