I would not consider what little is reported to be successful treatment
(tx) of prostate cancer (PCa).

Are these "doctors" urologists? Do they have a record of successful tx
of PCa? If not, it's time and past time to do some research. See the
website of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute at:  
http://prostate-cancer.org/index.html
and search on any question.

Is it? Don't bet his life on it.

I recommend, in addition to the above website, consultation with a
medical oncologist, preferably one who is experienced in the tx of PCa.
(S)he may be able to recommend a urologist who is qualified to treat PCa.

Regards,

Steve J

"We must tailor the treatment to the nature of the disease. We must
listen to the biology."
-- Stephen B. Strum, MD

A. We never know whether our cancer is cured, not even when we die of a
heart attack a decade later. Any doctor who says it's cured probably sells
used cars on the weekends. Strike One.

B. A doctor who says he can't cure surgical pain on meat (as opposed to,
say, the spinal chord) is highly suspect. Strike Two.

C. Get your relative and all his records to a better doctor (key word if
they balk: "HIS" records). Your docs aren't telling you the whole story,
which could include anything from incompetence to a metastasis no one can
cure but which could still receive palliative (pain) treatment.

Excess pain is unnecessary. In a case like this the underlying problem
should be treatable. If the underlying problem really can't be corrected,
the pain itself should be treatable. The former may require more surgery,
but surgery shouldn't hurt (that's what drugs are for), so he should be
eager to fix the underlying problem IF you guys can find a surgeon you have
faith in. Tell us where your relative is, and probably one of us can
recommend one nearby.

I.P.

If you post more information, there may be someone here
who has faced a similar problem and can give advice about
what he did about it.

What treatment did the family member get?  The two common
treatments, surgery and radiation, are normally only given once
though "one" radiation treatment can be a bit at a time over a
two month period.

What kind of pain is he experiencing?  Is it pain from the cancer
or pain caused by the after-effects of radiation or surgery?

I would be surprised if the incontinence was caused by a too
large catheter.  I haven't heard of that one before.  However
long term incontinence does sometimes result from surgery.
The parts of the urinary system that block the flow of urine
are damaged during surgery and don't always recover
completely.

Incontinence can't always be cured, but it can be
alleviated.  There are clamp like devices that people use
effectively.  I have never used one, but some people in
this newsgroup have and can share their experiences.

Good luck.

   Alan