External beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer
By Mayo Clinic staffExternal beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is a standard treatment option for prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate gland, with the goal of eliminating the cancer. Radiation therapy is also used to help shrink the tumor or to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life when eliminating prostate cancer isn't possible.
EBRT uses high-energy X-rays that are precisely focused on the prostate gland. The X-rays interfere with cancer cells' ability to reproduce and kill the cancer. This method has been used to treat prostate cancer for decades with good long-term results. Improvement in technology such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has allowed the delivery of higher doses of radiation while avoiding damage to the surrounding normal organs.
Radiation treatments are generally given five days a week for about seven to nine weeks on an outpatient basis. Each treatment appointment takes about 15 to 25 minutes. However, much of this is preparation time, and radiation is received for only several minutes. Anesthesia is not needed with external beam radiation because there's no pain during treatment.
Side effects of radiation therapy can include urinary and rectal problems, a decrease in sexual function, and fatigue. Some side effects are long term, and others, such as fatigue, usually go away a few weeks after treatment. Although surgery is more commonly done in younger people, radiation therapy may be a good choice if you prefer to avoid surgery. Meet with both an urologist as well as a radiation oncologist before making a treatment decision.
