There are many treatments employed to treat prostate cancer and radiation for prostate Cancer is just one of them. This procedure is now used by experts for many prostate cancer sufferers. This kind of method is an alternative for those patients who do not want any other surgeries. This method has two types of therapy: the brachytherapy and external radiation therapy. Let us establish the difference between these two.
Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer
Brachytherapy involves inserting small, radioactive capsules into the prostate gland. The capsules produce radiation that eradicates the malignant cancer or the tumor. Men with tiny tumors are candidates for this kind of radiation therapy.
An ultrasound called Transrectal is utilized to build a grid map of a prostate. From there, a computer then computes the quantity of the prostate gland and the amount of capsules needed. In like manner, the computer also determines where the capsules will be inserted.
Radiation for Prostate Cancer
The process is done on an outpatient basis and normally takes 1 hour or less. The patient is given a regional anesthesia and a needle will be inserted by the perineum and in programmed areas. About 100 capsules are implanted or inserted into the prostate throughout the needle. The capsules have a radioactive substance that provides radiation for three months. Other facts to know about brachytherapy for prostate cancer include:
- Recovery Period. Patients who undergo Brachytherapy will be discharged on the same day, then normally resume activity within a few days. A recent research has proven that most of the brachytherapy patients are free of cancer of the prostate five years following the treatment.
- Complications. Few patients, normally those who are 70-years-old and above, experience side effects such as impotence and incontinence.
# 2 – External Radiation Therapy
External radiation therapy is recommended only when the prostate tumor has already spread into the capsule and its surrounding tissues. This therapy is also provided on outpatient basis in eight weeks. X-rays which are high in energy are directed into the prostate tissue. The radiation then kills the cancer cells and eventually shrinks the tumors.
A research of nearly a thousand patients has proven that almost all of them have survived ten years following the external radiation therapy. But despite this, you must still take note of the process’s complication and side effects. Reported side effects and complications are urgent urination, diarrhea, urine discomfort and impotence, especially in older patients. Most of these side effects are resolved within a number of weeks after the therapy with some combined post-therapy medications.
Conclusion on Radiation for Prostate Cancer
These are the facts on how the radiation therapy works for prostate cancer patients. There are still several methods of treatments for prostate cancer. The most important thing is that you choose the method that best suits you. And you can figure out what fits your stage of prostate cancer by consulting a doctor who specializes in prostate cancer treatments.
But with all the information you have known about radiation for prostate cancer, and you think that this will be the ideal treatment for you then look for a doctor who specializes on this kind of method. And when you have found the right doctor for you, he or she can evaluate you if you are an ideal candidate for this type of treatment.
In like manner though, we want you to look for something other than radiation for prostate cancer. What exactly do we mean when we mentioned such things? Well, we just want you to exhaust all options possible and take note of preventing prostate cancer from interfering with your daily lives.
In this regard, we encourage you to take supplements for prostate health. There are many products in the market that can help support the proper functioning of the said gland.
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