Downstate Study Examines Long-Term Risks of Prostate Cancer Treatments

By Office of the President | Nov 3, 2026

For men diagnosed with prostate cancer, treatment decisions often involve weighing the potential benefits of cancer control against long-term effects on urinary function, sexual health, and overall quality of life.

New research by Downstate investigators examines how those risks may differ between two common treatment approaches: radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy, the surgical removal of the prostate.

Jeffrey P. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D., FACS, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and Chair of the Department of Urology, and medical student Juliana Viola analyzed outcomes among more than 20,000 men using the TriNetX research network.

The study examined patients for up to 20 years following treatment, with a median follow-up of approximately five years.

Researchers identified distinct patterns of complications. Men who underwent surgery had higher observed rates of urinary incontinence and sexual side effects. In comparison, radiation therapy was associated with higher rates of certain urinary complications, including blood in the urine.

Researchers also found higher all-cause mortality among patients treated with radiation. Importantly, the investigators cautioned that this finding does not establish that radiation caused the difference. Because the study was observational, other factors may have influenced patient outcomes.

The findings reinforce the importance of discussing treatment options in the context of each patient’s medical history, preferences, and long-term quality-of-life considerations, rather than assuming that a single approach is best for everyone.

The research was selected for presentation at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress Scientific Forum, which highlights studies addressing important questions in surgical practice and patient outcomes.

For patients navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis, the study contributes to a growing body of evidence intended to support informed, individualized treatment decisions.