Male pelvic cancer survivors, including those treated for prostate, bladder, penile, and testicular cancers, face a range of ongoing functional challenges that affect quality of life. Treatments such as radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and reconstructive surgery can lead to urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, bowel irregularity, pelvic pain, and changes in body image or hormonal balance. These effects often overlap and require an integrated rehabilitation approach.

Prostate cancer survivors frequently report urinary leakage, urgency, and reduced bladder control. Bladder cancer patients, particularly those who undergo urinary diversion or neobladder reconstruction, may struggle with altered storage and emptying patterns. Colorectal cancer survivors treated with low anterior resection often develop low anterior resection syndrome, which is characterized by stool clustering, urgency, and incontinence (Jones et al., 2024; Kim & Oh, 2023). Penile and testicular cancer survivors may experience sexual dysfunction and hormonal disruptions that influence pelvic floor function and psychosocial well-being. Across these diagnoses, common contributors to dysfunction include pelvic floor muscle weakness or discoordination, neural disruption, scar tissue and fibrosis, and the cumulative impact of cancer treatment on mobility, confidence, and daily function.

The Role of Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Pelvic floor rehabilitation is an essential component of survivorship care. Randomized trials and systematic reviews consistently support structured pelvic floor muscle training to improve urinary continence after prostatectomy (Fernández et al., 2015; Chen et al., 2023; Gerlegiz et al., 2025). Supervised PFMT produces better outcomes than unsupervised exercise, particularly when initiated before surgery or early postoperatively. Confirming accurate pelvic floor activation through biofeedback or palpation is critical for optimizing treatment success (Gerlegiz et al., 2025).

For men treated with pelvic radiation, long-term changes in muscle structure and neural control can contribute to urinary or bowel dysfunction and pelvic pain. Morphological and functional assessments using MRI, surface electromyography, and palpation have demonstrated reduced pelvic floor muscle endurance and altered activation patterns years after treatment (Ribeiro et al., 2021). These findings highlight the importance of ongoing rehabilitation to restore motor control, manage fibrosis, and reduce symptom burden.

Colorectal cancer survivors with low anterior resection syndrome benefit from targeted pelvic floor rehabilitation. Structured programs including pelvic floor muscle training, coordination exercises, and biofeedback have demonstrated improvements in bowel function, urgency, and quality of life (Jones et al., 2024; Kim & Oh, 2023). Programs delivered over multiple sessions, with patient adherence to home exercises, provide the most consistent benefit.

Sexual health is another domain where pelvic rehabilitation is important. Pelvic floor muscle training can improve erectile function, particularly when initiated preoperatively or in high-volume programs (Milios et al., 2020; Wong et al., 2020). Pelvic therapists can also address pelvic pain, scar sensitivity, and coordination deficits that contribute to sexual discomfort. Multidisciplinary collaboration with urology, sexual medicine, and mental health professionals provides comprehensive support for survivors navigating intimacy and relationship challenges.

Practical Rehabilitation Strategies
Evidence-based rehabilitation for male pelvic cancer survivors should include the following components:

Assessment and activation  - Confirm voluntary pelvic floor contraction using digital palpation, biofeedback, or ultrasound. Accurate assessment allows for individualized exercise prescription and objective tracking of progress (Gerlegiz et al., 2025; Ribeiro et al., 2021).

Structured exercise prescription - High-volume pelvic floor muscle training incorporating both slow- and fast-twitch fibers is recommended. Supervised sessions ensure correct technique, increase adherence, and improve outcomes (Fernández et al., 2015; Chen et al., 2023).

Biofeedback and adjunct modalities - Biofeedback supports motor learning and awareness. Electrical stimulation may be used selectively in patients unable to contract muscles effectively (Fernández et al., 2015).

Bowel retraining and coordination exercises - Strategies such as urge suppression, stool consistency management, scheduled toileting, and coordination exercises improve function in patients with low anterior resection syndrome (Jones et al., 2024; Kim & Oh, 2023).

Manual therapy and scar management - Hands-on techniques address fibrosis, scarring, restricted mobility, and pain. Scar desensitization and soft tissue mobilization support improved muscle recruitment and pelvic comfort.

Sexual rehabilitation integration - Pelvic floor muscle training can complement medical penile rehabilitation, graded exposure, and sensory retraining to improve sexual function and comfort (Milios et al., 2020; Wong et al., 2020).

Psychosocial support - Addressing body image, anxiety, and intimacy concerns is essential. Counseling referrals and supportive communication improve adherence and quality of life.

Prehabilitation and telehealth - Preoperative pelvic floor training can improve postoperative outcomes (Chen et al., 2023). Telehealth facilitates remote guidance, adherence monitoring, and access to specialized pelvic rehabilitation services.

Takeaway
Functional impairments after male pelvic cancer treatment are common, but rehabilitation can significantly improve urinary continence, bowel control, sexual function, pain, and overall quality of life. Evidence strongly supports structured, supervised pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence after prostatectomy, with growing support for bowel and sexual rehabilitation in this population. Early, individualized, and evidence-based intervention is key to maximizing recovery.

Clinicians seeking to deepen their skills in treating male pelvic and colorectal cancer survivors are encouraged to register for the Oncology of the Pelvic Floor Level 2A: Male Pelvic and Colorectal Cancers course on December 6–7. This two-day training provides hands-on learning, case-based discussions, and practical strategies for evidence-based assessment and intervention.

References

1. Fernández RA, García-Hermoso A, Solera-Martínez M, Correa MT, Morales AF, Martínez-Vizcaíno V. Improvement of continence rate with pelvic floor muscle training post-prostatectomy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Urol Int. 2015;94(2):125-32. doi: 10.1159/000368618. PMID: 25427689.
2. Ribeiro AM, Nammur LG, Mateus-Vasconcelos ECL, Ferreira CHJ, Muglia VF, de Oliveira HF. Pelvic floor muscles after prostate radiation therapy: morpho-functional assessment by magnetic resonance imaging, surface electromyography and digital anal palpation. Int Braz J Urol. 2021 Jan-Feb;47(1):120-130. doi: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2019.0765. PMID: 33047917; PMCID: PMC7712707.
3. Milios JE, Ackland TR, Green DJ. Pelvic Floor Muscle Training and Erectile Dysfunction in Radical Prostatectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating a Non-Invasive Addition to Penile Rehabilitation. Sex Med. 2020 Sep;8(3):414-421. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2020.03.005. Epub 2020 May 14. PMID: 32418881; PMCID: PMC7471070.
4. Chen, Yi-Hsuan1; Juan, Yung-Shun1,2,3,4; Wei, Wei-Chi1; Geng, Jiun-Hung5; Chueh, Kuang-Shun1,4; Lee, Hsiang-Ying1,2,3,4,*. Effects of Early Pelvic Floor Muscle Training on Early Recovery of Urinary Incontinence after Prostate Surgery. Urological Science 34(1):p 39-45, Jan–Mar 2023. | DOI: 10.4103/UROS.UROS_59_22
5. Wong C, Louie DR, Beach C. A Systematic Review of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Erectile Dysfunction After Prostatectomy and Recommendations to Guide Further Research. J Sex Med. 2020 Apr;17(4):737-748. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.01.008. Epub 2020 Feb 3. PMID: 32029399.
6. Jones S, Edie A, Troop E, Hill JS, Thompson JA. The Effect of Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation on Low Anterior Resection Syndrome After Colorectal Cancer Treatment. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2024 May 22:1-12. doi: 10.6004/jadpro.2024.15.8.4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39802528; PMCID: PMC11715399.
7. Kim YM, Oh EG. Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Patients Following Low Anterior Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2023 Mar-Apr 01;50(2):142-150. doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000958. PMID: 36867038.
8. Gerlegiz ENA, Öztürk D, Gürşen C, Akbayrak T, Özgül S. Structured and supervised pelvic floor muscle training following confirmed contraction in post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Cancer Surviv. 2025 Aug 28. doi: 10.1007/s11764-025-01882-6. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40877548.

Allison Ariail, PT, DPT, CLT-LAANA, BCB-PMD is one of the creators of the Herman & Wallace Oncology of the Pelvic Floor Course Series. Allison Ariail is a physical therapist who started working in oncology in 2007 when she became certified as a lymphatic therapist. She worked with breast cancer, lymphedema patients, head and neck cancer patients, and the overall oncology team to work with the whole patient to help them get better. When writing these courses, Allison was part of a knowledgeable team that included Amy Sides and Nicole Dugan among others.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that the incidence rate of colorectal cancers is increasing? According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1.9 million new cases of colorectal cancer were identified worldwide in 2020. This number is expected to grow even more. It is predicted that by 2040 the number of new cases of colorectal cancer will rise to 3.2 million new cases a year, and 1.6 million annual deaths worldwide. Additionally, did you know due to the fact that the incidence rate is increasing and it is being diagnosed in younger individuals, the age for screening for colorectal cancer has lowered to 45? At age 45 individuals should begin regular screening for colorectal cancer either via stool-based testing or visual-based screening via a colonoscopy. If someone has risk factors they may need to begin screening at a younger age. 

Colorectal cancer can often be preventable through modifiable risk factors. Changing some of these risk factors, alongside the detection and removal of precancerous lesions can lower someone's risks.  However, if a diagnosis is made, treatment can help to prolong the life of the patient. The treatment can include various surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. All of these treatments can cause changes to a patient's body. A rehab professional that has knowledge about both the body and how the medical treatment of cancer causes changes, can make all the difference in the world for that patient returning to activities that they enjoy and love after treatment.

There are not many opportunities for rehab professionals to learn about these changes and how we can help these patients. However, Herman & Wallace has a series focused on helping oncology patients. In this series, techniques are learned that can help colorectal cancer patients recover from their diagnosis and the medical treatment they go through. The oncology series is online and offered several times a year. You can attend the upcoming oncology courses on: Oncology of the Pelvic Floor Level 1 scheduled for July 8-9 and December 2-3, Level 2A scheduled for May 20--21, and Level 2B scheduled for December 9-10.

Reference:

Morgan E, Arnold M, Gini A, et al.  Global burden of colorectal cancer in 2020 and 2040: incidence and mortality estimates from GLOBOCAN.  Colon. 2023; 72(2).

*Certified Lymphatic Therapists may skip Oncology of the Pelvic Floor Level 1 and move on to the Level 2A and Level 2B courses.*

Oncology of the Pelvic Floor Level 1 - no partner needed for registration
Price: $550.00          Experience Level: Beginner          Contact Hours: 17.5 hours

Oncology of the Pelvic Floor Level 2A - partner needed for registration
Price: $495.00          Experience Level: Intermediate          Contact Hours: 17.25 hours

This course was designed to build on the information that was presented in Oncology of the Pelvic Floor Level 1.

Information will be provided focusing on male pelvic cancers, colorectal cancer, and anal cancer including risk factors, diagnosis, and prognosis. The participant will also understand the sequelae of the medical treatment of cancer and how this can impact a patient's body and quality of life. Other topics include rehabilitation and nutritional aspects focusing on these specific cancers, as well as home program options that patients can implement as an adjunct to therapy.

Course Dates: May 20--21

Oncology of the Pelvic Floor Level 2B - partner needed for registration
Price: $600.00          Experience Level: Intermediate          Contact Hours: 19.25 hours

This course was designed to build on the information that was presented in Oncology of the Pelvic Floor Level 1.

Information will be provided focusing on gynecological and bladder cancers including risk factors, diagnosis, and prognosis. The participant will also understand the sequelae of the medical treatment of cancer and how this can impact a patient’s body and quality of life. Other topics include rehabilitation and nutritional aspects focusing on these specific cancers, as well as home program options that patients can implement as an adjunct to therapy.

Course Dates: December 9-10