The type of radiation therapy
The types of radiation therapy used for the treatment of prostate cancer include:
1. External radiation therapy.
This is the most common type of radiation treatment. Physicians use machines located outside the body to focus x-ray beams on cancer areas.
Some cancer treatment centers use conformal radiation therapy (CRT), in which the computer helps to map the location and form of cancer.
2. Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT).
IMRT is a type of external radiation beam therapy that uses CT scans to form a 3-dimensional prostate image before treatment.
A computer monitor takes this information about the size, shape, and location of prostate cancer and determines how much radiation it needs to destroy it.
With IMRT, high-dose radiation can be directed to the prostate without increasing the risk of damaging nearby organs.
3. Proton ray therapy.
Proton therapy is a type of external radiation therapy that uses proton light to destroy cancer cells.
Current research has not shown that proton therapy provides more benefits for men with prostate cancer than traditional radiation therapy, the cost is also more expensive.
4. Internal radiation therapy
Internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy is the insertion of radioactive sources directly into the prostate.
Radioactive rays release radiation just around the area where they are inserted and can be used for hours (high dose rate) or week (low dose rate).
For a man with high-risk cancer, brachytherapy is usually combined with other treatments.
5. Radium-223.
Radium-223 dichloride (Xofigo) is a type of radioactive substance. Radium-223 provides direct radiation to tumors found in bone, limiting damage to healthy tissue.
According to clinical trial results published in 2013, radium-223 treatment reduces the risk of bone complications and improves survival.
Side effects of radiation therapy
Radiation therapy can cause such direct side effects
- Diarrhea or other problems with rectal function, such as frequent farting, bleeding, and loss of bowel control
- Increased urinary impulse
- Increase frequency; fatigue; inability; And anal discomfort, burning sensation, or pain.
- DE (Erectile Dysfunction)
Most side effects usually disappear after treatment, but side effects such as ED are usually permanent.
Many side effects of radiation therapy may not appear in the months or years after treatment.
Most people expect to experience side effects while receiving treatment. However, often side effects come and can linger beyond the treatment period. These are called long-term side effects.
In addition, other effects of late side effects can develop for months or even years afterwards. Long term side effects and final effects can include both physical and emotional changes.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of side-effects based on the stage of cancer, individual care plans, and your overall health.
If you have a treatment known to cause a certain end effect, you may have a specific examination, scan, or blood test of your own physique to help find and regulate this state.
Source: http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/treatment-options
