Radiation therapy for prostate cancer is the most common type of treatment for this disease. It delivers radiation to the affected area through an implantable device or catheter. There are two types of brachytherapy, high-dose rate and low-dose rate. High-dose-rate brachytherapy uses catheters inserted into the prostate and emits high doses of radiation in short bursts. Brachytherapy has fewer side effects than high-dose rate brachytherapy and is generally less costly.
An external beam radiation treatment uses radiation from outside the body. The patient lies on a table while a machine moves around him and directs high-powered energy beams at the prostate. Typically, patients undergo this treatment five days a week for several weeks. However, some medical centers offer shorter courses of radiation therapy. These treatments are effective for some men, but are not for everyone. For more information about the treatment options available, talk to your doctor.
External-beam radiation therapy may be combined with hormone therapy. Hormone therapy may be used prior to radiation therapy to reduce its side effects. Chemotherapy is another common treatment for prostate cancer. Unlike hormone therapy, it uses drugs that kill rapidly growing cancer cells. It may be given through a vein in the arm, or taken in pill form. While radiation therapy can cause side effects, most of these go away on their own.
Initial treatment for prostate cancer usually involves surgery and radiation therapy. But if prostate cancer returns, doctors may recommend systemic therapies. These drugs work throughout the body to shrink the prostate tumor. They also treat patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. The most commonly prescribed steroid treatment is dexamethasone, although there are newer medicines. If you have a history of prostate cancer, it’s likely that your doctor may suggest hormonal therapy in combination with other treatment options.
Low-risk prostate cancer may not require treatment right away, although some men may need to undergo regular follow-up exams. In low-risk prostate cancer, active surveillance involves monitoring the condition with regular blood tests, rectal exams, and prostate biopsies. While this treatment doesn’t cure the cancer, the side effects can still have a negative impact on the patient. Regular prostate exams and biopsies may be necessary, though they are often less painful than surgery or radiation.
Another type of surgery for prostate cancer is called bilateral orchiectomy, in which the prostate and some surrounding lymph nodes are surgically removed. Surgical oncologists are trained to treat cancer by surgery, and they will be able to determine which type of surgery is best for your condition. However, it’s important to consider the side effects of general anesthesia. Catheters are required for a week or two. There may be permanent sexual side effects, including pain during orgasms.
While surgery and radiation for prostate cancer cure many men, some people still experience biochemical recurrence after treatment. Biochemical recurrence refers to a situation when the cancer returns, but it is characterized by a rise in PSA levels and no metastases on scans. Depending on the type of treatment a man receives, it may be possible to delay treatment for several months. While a few patients will not develop symptoms, it’s possible to prevent the cancer from coming back.
