Side Effect: Burning or Painful Urination (Dysuria)

What is Burning or Painful Urination (Dysuria)?

Burning or painful urination, is known as dysuria, and is a common medical symptom that can be caused by a variety of medical conditions.

What does Burning or Painful Urination (Dysuria) look like?

Some common symptoms of dysuria include:

• a burning or stinging sensation during urination
• frequent urges to urinate
• increased urgency to urinate
• difficulty starting or completing urination

Who gets Burning or Painful Urination (Dysuria)?

• Dysuria is a common symptom of urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, kidney stones, and enlarged prostate.
• Patients with cancer may be at higher risk of developing dysuria due to various factors.
  • Some types of cancer, such as bladder cancer or prostate cancer, can directly affect the urinary system and cause dysuria.
  • Radiation therapy to the pelvic area can cause radiation cystitis, which is a condition characterized by inflammation of the bladder lining, leading to dysuria and other urinary symptoms.
  • Some chemotherapeutic agents, such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®) and ifosfamide (Ifex®), can cause damage to the bladder or urinary tract, leading to dysuria.

How to prevent Burning or Painful Urination (Dysuria)

To prevent dysuria in patients with cancer, healthcare providers may recommend various strategies.

• Patients undergoing radiation therapy may be advised to drink plenty of fluids to increase urination and help cleanse the urinary tract.
• Various medications can be utilized to help address any underlying urgency or voiding issues.
• Mesna may be added to therapy with cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®) and ifosfamide (Ifex®) to help prevent damage to the urinary tract.

How to treat Burning or Painful Urination (Dysuria)

• Treatment of dysuria in cancer patients also depends on the underlying cause. If a urinary tract or sexually transmitted infection is present, it is typically treated with antibiotics.
• Phenazopyridine (AZO®, Pyridium®) is an over-the-counter medication that may be used for short periods of time to specifically help alleviate symptoms of dysuria.
• In severe cases, pain medications or other supportive therapies may also be recommended. For select patients with radiation-induced cystitis, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be an option to help reduce dysuria symptoms.