Information
To learn more about cancer survivorship research at Sylvester, please call 305-243-3329 or
email Survivorship Research.
At Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer expert, compassionate care from diagnosis and treatment through survivorship. Our goal is to help you maintain the highest quality of life possible and prevent cancer recurrence. We provide personalized attention and services to let you feel your best – including nutritional guidance and help to stop smoking. You get expert advice and support to help you live an active, healthy lifestyle.
After you’ve completed genitourinary cancer treatment, your doctor will keep a close eye on you to make sure you’re healing well, and cancer hasn’t returned. They will provide you with a survivorship care plan that details how often you need to come in for follow-up visits, which include a physical exam and any necessary follow-up tests – such as imaging or blood tests. These appointments also offer you an opportunity to let your doctor know about any changes or side effects.
Managing bladder cancer treatment side effects
Bladder cancer treatment can cause long-term side effects. We offer expert care and support to help you feel your best. Our team of cancer specialists, urologists, behavioral health experts, rehabilitation therapists, and other care providers work together to give you the highest quality of life possible.
Bladder cancer surgery side effects
Bladder cancer surgery removes all or part of your bladder. Thanks to new, advanced techniques, surgeons can reconstruct the bladder using intestinal tissue, allowing you to urinate normally.
However, people who’ve had their bladder removed may still need a urostomy, an opening in the abdominal wall that redirects urine out of your body into a bag. A wound care nurse or another provider will show you how to take care of the urostomy, including how to clean it and when to change the pouch.
Chemotherapy side effects
Side effects from bladder cancer chemotherapy vary with different medicines. Most side effects go away within one to three months after you finish treatment. Symptoms may include:
- Anemia
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tiredness
- Weakened immune system
Some chemotherapy treatments can damage your kidneys, so it’s critical to drink enough throughout treatment to let your kidneys flush out the medicines. Your doctor will keep a close eye on your kidney health during and after treatment.
Sexual side effects
Urostomies and side effects like erectile dysfunction can affect your sexual health and well-being. Many bladder cancer survivors also experience sex-related psychological issues. We develop a personalized treatment plan to help you feel like yourself again – whether you need treatment from a urologist or individual therapy from a psychiatrist. We support your mental and physical health.
Managing prostate cancer treatment side effects
Prostate cancer treatment may cause short- and long-term side effects, and we offer expert care and attention to enrich your quality of life.
Prostate surgery and radiation therapy side effects
Many men with prostate cancer have all or part of their prostate removed during surgery. They may also have radiation therapy after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Or, they may decide to have radiation therapy without surgery.
Both treatments can cause long-term side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. We offer treatments to let you feel confident and enjoy an active lifestyle. We’ll design a treatment plan just for you.
Chemotherapy side effects
Side effects from prostate cancer chemotherapy vary with different medicines. Most side effects go away within one to three months after you finish treatment. Symptoms may include:
- Anemia
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tiredness
- Weakened immune system
Chemotherapy can also cause pain or numbness in your hands or feet, called peripheral neuropathy, which may be permanent. Talk to your doctor right away if you notice these symptoms.
Androgen deprivation therapy side effects
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can help prevent cancer from coming back. This treatment reduces the number of androgens (male hormones) in your body – these hormones can increase your risk of prostate cancer. ADT may cause symptoms such as:
- Increased abdominal fat
- Reduced sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- High cholesterol or blood pressure
- Hot flashes
- Tiredness
Depending on your symptoms, you may work with a few specialists to relieve side effects, such as an oncologist, a urologist, and a primary care doctor. Urologists at the University of Miami Health System offer the latest treatments for erectile dysfunction – from pills and injections to vacuum erection devices and penile implants.
Your primary care doctor can help you lose weight and lower your cholesterol and blood pressure by recommending an exercise routine. They may also prescribe medicine to improve your heart health.
Your doctor can also suggest ways to boost your energy and relieve hot flashes, such as acupuncture. A good night’s sleep can also improve these symptoms. Avoiding alcohol at night, wearing light clothing to bed, and keeping your room cool and dark can help you sleep better.
Smoking cessation
Smoking during or after your cancer treatment affects your body’s ability to heal and increases the risk of complications after cancer surgery. It can make your treatment less effective and increase your risk for cancer treatment side effects and cancer recurrence.
