Possible Side Effects of Radiotherapy and Brachytherapy For Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer has many possible treatments, and often different treatments are used together to achieve the best results. One method of treatment is Brachytherapy, which is when a number of radiation seeds are implanted into the tumour in the prostate gland. The seeds then give a dose of radiation to the tumour over a period of time, usual several months although this varies.

Brachytherapy is a different form of radiotherapy, but has the same principle. The idea of the therapy is to use radiation to kill the cancerous cells. In the case of radiation seeds, the seeds provide the dose of radiation required. The levels of radiation are not harmful to the rest of the body, but can cause long and short term side effect. Most of the side effects of Brachytherapy are the same as radiotherapy, although there are some small differences.

Radiotherapy for prostate cancer can cause the following short term side effects:

Diarrhea

Loss of pubic hair

Tiredness

Cystitis – causes painful urination

Radiotherapy for prostate cancer can cause the following long term side effects:

Inability of difficulty in achieving an erection

Urinary Incontinence

However, radiation seeds (Brachytherapy) has a lower chance of causing urinary incontinence compared to normal radiotherapy.

With all radiotherapy these is an approximately 33% chance that the cancer will return in the future after it has been killed by the radiation.

Radiotherapy is often used together with hormone therapy to achieve the most successful results. For example, hormone therapy (which blocks the testosterone the cancer needs to grow) is often performed before radiotherapy. Patients always have the final say as to which treatment they want to use, but the doctor will advise what he or she thinks is the best course of action.

Do you have prostate cancer and want to learn more about your options? If so, please visit Prostate Cancer Treatment Options.

http://www.ProstateCancerFAQ.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Kernal

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What Prostate Cancer Treatment Is Right For You

The population of men nearing the age of their forties and fifties are at risk for prostate cancer and sterility. The average age of men afflicted with this type of cancer is sixty-five and accounts for seventy-five percent of the cases of this cancer. An abnormal growth of the prostate requires some testing to determine if cancerous cells are present. This health problem grows rapidly and if not caught early enough may cause death. Prostate cancer treatment procedures vary for every person, as not all men have the same severity.

Many new treatment plans are in place, but still in the clinical stage while some standard prostate cancer treatment procedures call for removal of the prostate gland. With proper check up and early diagnosis will determine your individual treatment.

In the early stages, when you first show a few symptoms of a problem with the prostate, a doctor will watch you carefully until other determining signs become known. This is considered watchful waiting. Although, today most doctors will run some tests right away to rule out cancer, enlarged prostate or another problem with the gland itself might just be causing the problem.

Many different prostate cancer treatment procedures exist and most are invasive while costly as well. There are different surgeries for different patients, because not everyone is the same. Here are some procedures done:

Lymphadenectomy- this includes taking the lymph nodes from the pelvic area and examining them to see if they have any signs of cancerous cells or tumors that would in turn affect the prostate gland.

You can also find more info on Laser Prostate Treatment and Prostate Biopsy . Prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about prostate cancer treatment. 

By: Judy Wellsworth

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Learn more about other prostate cancer treatments on Prostate Cancer Treatments and Potron Prostate Treatment.

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