Prostate cancer 4
Radical radiotherapy
Radical radiotherapy is given in three ways:
- External beam, where radiation is targeted on the prostate and surrounding tissues to destroy the cancer cells
- Conformal radiotherapy which is a more targeted approach of the external beam method
- Brachytherapy, where radioactive implants are placed in the prostate. This is the method usually used by our consultants as it is very accurate.
These treatments are recommended for men with a life expectancy of at least 10 years and are good options for men whose cancer is at the stage where it can be treated radically but who are not fit enough for an operation. It also provides an option for men who do not want to undergo surgery.
Side-effects
While radiotherapy does not carry the risks associated with surgery, it does carry its own risks which you should consider before making your choice. These are:
- 7 out of 10 men will have bladder or rectal irritation (cystitis or proctitis). This will usually settle within a few weeks.
- Up to 5 men in 100 will have long term bladder or rectal incontinence
- 3-4 out of 10 will have difficulty achieving an erection (impotence)
- Most men will be infertile
- Some men will lose their sex drive
You may also be given a hormone drug before commencing radical radiotherapy in order to shrink your prostate making radiation more likely to destroy the tumour.
External beam or conformal radiotherapy
You will have 20-40 daily sessions in the clinic over a period of 5-8 weeks. You do not have to stay in hospital for this treatment. It does not cause any pain but you should expect to feel more tired than usual. You will be asked to sign a consent form for this treatment.
You will have less energy than usual in the first few months following your treatment. You will probably have diarrhoea and if you have bad symptoms your GP can prescribe suppositories to help. The clinic will be able to advise you on what foods to avoid.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy can be given in two ways:
- High dose brachytherapy
- Permanent seed brachytherapy
The Reading Urology Partnership uses the permanent seed method whereby small radioactive seeds are inserted into the prostate. We work in conjunction with colleagues from the Berkshire Oncology Partnership so that the whole procedure can be carried out in a single visit.
This is a one-off procedure, carried out at Royal Berkshire NHS Hospital and involves a stay of two nights, one before and one after the procedure.
The seeds are not removed and lose their radioactivity in time. They will not harm anyone else who comes into contact with you.
Please go on to Prostate cancer 5 for more information
Go back to Prostate cancer 3
See also Prostate Cancer Diet Guidelines
Relevant links
Cancer BACUP 0808 800 1234
MacMillan CancerLine 0808 808 2020
Cancer Research UK 0800 226 237
Prostate Cancer Support Organisation 0845 650 2555
Back to top
|