Table 1.

Description of Treatment Complications and Metastatic (Advanced) Prostate Cancer States^*

State	Description	Possible Treatments for Complications
Treatment complications
Partial impotence	Inability to always have erections when wanted, or erections not always firm enough for sexual activity.	Patient adaptability; medications.
Complete impotence	Entire loss of ability to have an erection.	Medications; injections/insertions; vacuum-assisted devices; penile implants.
Mild-to-moderate incontinence	The inability to control the urine stream, resulting in leakage or dribbling of urine.	Absorbent pads; behavioral modification; Kegel exercises.
Severe incontinence	The complete and constant loss of urine.	Medications; penis clamp; condom catheter; artificial sphincter.
Urethral stricture	Blockage or narrowing of the urethra, which makes it difficult for urine to easily pass.	Dilating the urethra; surgery.
Rectal injury	Cut or damage to rectal wall, which may allow feces to pass through rectal wall.	Surgical repair; colostomy.
Metastatic (advanced) prostate cancer
Hormonally responsive prostate cancer	Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The purpose of treatment is to slow the growth of prostate cancer cells by stopping the production of testosterone.
Hormonally refractory prostate cancer	Cancer that has spread throughout the body. Hormone treatment is no longer effective. The purpose of treatment is to slow its spread and to control symptoms, in particular pain.

^*The health state descriptions and the possible treatments for complications are abbreviated versions excerpted from the utility-assessment procedures.