Prostate Cancer Radiation
Prostate cancer can be very deadly if allowed to progress into its later stages. However, if discovered early, the prognosis gets a lot better since the disease is significantly easier to treat. One of the treatments that could be considered is prostate cancer radiation. What is prostate cancer radiation? Prostate cancer radiation is simply a procedure in which a high amount of radiation is used to kill any tumors in the prostate. The most common types of prostate cancer radiation come in two different types of therapies including: brachytherapy and XRT, (which stands for external radiation therapy).
Brachytherapy is a form of prostate cancer radiation in which radiation is distributed through special capsules. These capsules, (which are known as seeds in the medical community), create radioactive responses internally… responses that kills the tumors associated with the prostate cancer. The procedure works best for men who are in the earlier stages of prostate cancer. The downside to this type of prostate cancer radiation is that the pills are inserted through the anus, (rather than orally). However, the process does not require surgery and can be done through an outpatient appointment. The general timeframe of brachytherapy ranges from 45 minutes to an hour. The success of brachytherapy is high… patients remain cancer-free for at least five years.
The second form of prostate cancer radiation is XRT. This prostate cancer radiation treatment is recommended when the prostate cancer has spread to other areas of the body. The process is simple. A special machine delivers radioactive X-rays to the prostate area, killing the cancer cells. The success of XRT will depend on the progression of the prostate cancer. Those who are in the first stage of prostate cancer have an astounding 79 percent success rate with XRT prostate cancer radiation therapy. Those in the second stage of the disease have a 66 percent chance of success, while stages 3 and 4 have 55 percent and 22 percent respectively. In all of these situations, survivors lived at least 10 years without the cancer reoccurring.
Ultimately, prostate cancer radiation can be highly effective at helping to treat prostate cancer. However, prostate cancer radiation therapies are not without side effects. For example, men who are over 70 are more likely to suffer from incontinence and impotence due to the procedures. And all prostate cancer victims are at higher risk of getting rectal cancer if they decide to use prostate cancer radiation.
So, how can a prostate cancer sufferer know if prostate cancer radiation is for them? This will depend on how their prostate cancer is progressing, along with their own preferences. The issues of incontinence, impotence and rectal cancer are very serious things to consider, however not everyone gets them. Yet, it should be noted that each of these things can be gotten even without prostate cancer radiation therapy. It should be further noted that there are methods of dealing with incontinence and impotence. However, since there is the chance of rectal cancer, a man will need to weigh his options. If this is a serious concern for him, he can always consider some of the other treatments available for prostate cancer, such as chemotherapy, ultrasound therapy or even freezing therapy.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
The kind of treatment a prostate cancer sufferer will face will depend very much upon how the tumors inside your body are developing. Some men don’t get a treatment at all. Most men who have prostate cancer go through a number of stages, watchful waiting, chemotherapy and radiotherapy each of these can be long and painful.
Do I Have Prostate Cancer?
You may think that your prostate is healthy however you could still have prostate cancer. Signs of prostate cancer may not be seen for months after you first develop the cancer. Signs of prostate cancer include problems with erections and ejaculations. If you think for one moment that you may have prostate cancer you should see a doctor immediately!