Cost of EBRT Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

According to the Mayo Clinic, prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. If cancer is confined to the prostate (the walnut-shaped gland in males that produces seminal fluid), treatment is more likely to be successful. And while the ultimate goal is to successfully treat the cancer, patients are often concerned about the cost of treatment, too. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is one option for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

• According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of prostate cancer can include urinary problems such as trouble urinating, starting and stopping while urinating and decreased force in the stream of urine. You may also experience blood in your urine or semen. After prostate cancer has spread (such as to bones or the lymph nodes), you may experience other symptoms such as persistent pain or unexplained swelling.

About EBRT Radiation Therapy

• This type of radiation uses high-powered X-rays to kill cancer cells, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your doctor will use computer software to help map out the correct angles in order to best administer radiation. Each treatment takes about 10 minutes (much of that is preparation time). The treatment is not painful.

Cost

• According to a study reported in the February 1, 2007 issue of the journal Cancer, the cumulative cost of prostate cancer is, on average, $42,570 over 5 years. According to the Journal of Clinical Oncology, average costs for patients who undergo radiation therapy range from $13,765 to $14,330--less than the cost for radical prostatectomy, or surgical removal of the prostate gland, which runs $16,891 to $17,560. These numbers come from a study which compares the direct medical costs during the month before and 9 months after diagnosis.

Other Treatment Options

• EBRT radiation is not the only way to treat prostate cancer. For some patients, a combination of treatments works best. Other options include radioactive seed implants, hormone therapy, removing the prostate gland and chemotherapy.

Side Effects

• While EBRT is effective in killing cancer cells, it may scar surrounding tissue. Treatments may also cause such side effects as urinary problems, loose stools, rectal bleeding and sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction. These side effects usually go away after treatment stops.