Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer is used like surgery for the early states of prostate cancer. Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, uses high energy rays to destroy cancer cells. These rays can be deadly to all cells; fortunately, the treatment is precise enough to, only destroy the cancerous ones. 

When Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer is performed?

For the early stages of prostate cancer, radiation therapy for prostate cancer can be used as a substitute for surgery. In order to kill cancerous tissues that remain in the area, it may also be used after a surgical procedure. During the later stages of prostate cancer, prostate cancer radiation treatment is mostly used to make possible pain relief.

Prior to beginning prostate cancer radiation treatment, it is vital that you speak well with your physician. If you have any questions or concerns, ensure to voice them. If you are largely in the dark about prostate cancer, take some time to change that. Keeping in touch with your doctor will go a long way in your medical education, which is now of supreme importance. 

Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer: Types of Radiation Therapy

There are two main types of radiation therapy used to treat prostate cancer. As a patient, you may receive one or both. Depending on type of radiation used and the dosage that you receive, the side effects will occur from these treatments. Note that while radiation therapy for prostate cancer tends to produce feelings of fatigue for its patients, doctors generally advise that you stay as active as possible, within reason.

The two main types of Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer are:

Internal Radiation or P rostate Cancer brachytherapy

Also known as Prostate Cancer Brachytherapy or implant radiation, this procedure uses radioactive material gathered from small seeds. Seeds are entrenched into the cancerous tissue, where they will emit radiation for months. Since the seeds are usually harmless, they do not need to be removed. Because the seeds are a one-time implant, the patient usually does not have to stay in the hospital either. 

Internal Radiation Treatment Side Affects

Internal radiation may have several side effects, such as incontinence. Generally, however, this problem goes away on its own. There are very few long-term side effects when it comes to internal radiation; in fact, they are quite rare.

External Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer

As the name implies, this procedure uses an external source of radiation, frequently a large machine. Distinct from internal radiation, for continuing treatment, this procedure requires that men go to a hospital or clinic. Treatment generally lasts for quite a few weeks, with patients trudging to the hospital an average of five times a week. A special type of therapy called conformal radiation therapy can also be applied. This treatment is more precise than other radiation treatments and thus spares healthy tissue. 

External Radiation Treatment Side Affects

When compared to internal radiation, external radiation has much greater side effects. As in chemotherapy, hair can be permanently lost in the treated area. The skin in the same are may also become dry, red, and tender. In addition, external radiation has been known to source problems in the excretory system. After prolonged external radiotherapy for prostate cancer, many men are forced to live with altered bowel or urinary patterns.

Both radiation treatments, even though useful in curing prostate cancer, can cause impotence. However, such effects are much likely to be produced by internal radiotherapy.