There are two types of radiation therapy utilized for the treatment of prostate cancer. These prostate cancer radiation therapies are External Radiation Therapy (XRT) and Brachytherapy. Details of these therapies are given below:
• XRT (External Radiation Therapy):
This type of treatment of radiation is usually recommended when the cancerous tumor has penetrated the prostate capsule and spread to the surrounding tissues. This type of treatment of radiation involves the projection of high energy X-rays into the prostate tissue that is done for around 8 weeks. This type of radiation kills the cancer cells and also shrinks the tumors.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is also being used to treat this type of cancer at some treatment centers. This involves the use of a computer program to find out the precise size, shape and location of the tumor. A robotic arm delivers high concentrated radiation beams from various positions and angles. These intersect at the cancerous tumor and do not cause damage to any healthy tissues.
The complications that could arise from radiation for this type of cancer XRT are erectile dysfunction (in older men), diarrhea, and discomfort during urination etc.
• Brachytherapy:
This treatment for cancer involves the implantation of radioactive tiny capsules (seeds) into the prostate gland. These seeds emit rays that destroy the malignant tumor. Patients that have prostate cancer that is localized and confined to only the prostate gland are the usual candidates for this type of prostate cancer radiation therapy.
TRUS (Transrectal ultrasound) creates a map/grid of the prostate and the volume of the gland, the number of seeds that are required and the placement of the seeds are done by a computer. The radiation procedure takes around 45 minutes to an hour. Regional anesthesia is given to the patient and around fifty to hundred seeds are implanted into the prostate. The radioactive isotope - iodine 125 or palladium 103 that is in the seeds emit radiation for around three months and then goes inert.
Most Brachytherapy patients get discharged on the same day and resume their normal activities in a day or two.
Aims and advantages of Using This for Treatment:
The main aim of this specific treatment of cancer is to irradiate a particular targeted area with as much highly concentrated energy as possible while at the same time making sure the neighboring areas and tissues are not affected. 3 Dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) are the two new forms of External Beam Radiation Therapy.
This type of cancer and radiation is non invasive and works by delivering high energy particles/rays at the cancerous tissue/tumor. The IMRT and 3D-CRT prostate cancer radiation therapies are a great option for those who do not want to undergo surgery. Those who undergo this kind of cancer radiation should generally have a Gleason score that is around 6 or even lower and a PSA level score of 10 or lower. This means that the cancer of the prostate is contained within the prostate gland itself. A good radiotherapy/prostate treatment will eradicate the cancer leaving the tissues and organs that surround it completely undamaged or affected in anyway.
Go to [http://prostatecancerradiation.org/blog/]Prostate Cancer Radiation to get free information on this product. This website will give you all of the information you need on this type of cancer along with a lot of other free information. Don't miss out on this new website if you are looking for more information. Find us at [http://prostatecancerradiation.org/blog/]http://prostatecancerradiation.org/blog/.
Find information on Radiation Therapy at CheckTheProstate.com