Prostate Cancer Radiation Treatment

Prostate Cancer Radiation Treatment is also referred to as X-ray treatment and uses high levels of radiation to kill cancer cells while attempting to minimize damage to neighboring, healthy cells.

Radiation Therapy Types include internal radiation which can be done through the insertion of tubes – brachytherapy – radioactive seed implants,  or external radiation performed outside the body and directed to the target area.

External type radiation treatments are usually scheduled over multiple visits with the location in the body of the treatment recorded by X-ray.  There is no pain associated with this type of treatment, but your body is subject to a high level of radiation.

Side effects of radiation treatment include localized damage or redness of the skin near the treatment area but also erectile dysfunction, urinary issues, mild fatigue which may last weeks after the treatment, or even incontinence.

Modern types of radiation therapy include  3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy, Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and the newest, non-invasive treatment with less side effects called Ablatherm High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).