What Are the Complications of External Beam Radiation for Prostate Cancer?

Each year over 185,000 American men receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer, making it the second leading cause of cancer in men, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While external beam radiation is a common treatment for prostate cancer, the procedure does pose a risk of side effects.

Significance

• The most common side effects of external beam radiation for prostate cancer include fatigue, as well as skin redness and irritation; these occur in most men at some point during treatment, according to the the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Types of Other Side Effects

• Other possible side effects of external beam radiation include rectal pain or itching, leaking of feces, diarrhea and frequent or urgent urination. These effects occur in approximately 30 to 50 percent of patients, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Time Frame

• Most of the side effects that develop during external beam radiation treatments occur by the second and third week of treatment and stop after treatment ends, reports the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Radiation treatment has the potential to cause other complications that develop months after treatment ends as well.

Risks

• Erectile dysfunction often develops toward the end or after external beam radiation treatment for prostate cancer and could continue throughout your life. In some cases, prostate cancer leads to damage to your rectum that requires surgical repair, warns the Mayo Clinic.

Solution

• Getting plenty of rest and eating a balanced diet helps mitigate some of the complications of external beam radiation for prostate cancer, suggests the American Cancer Society. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing over the irradiated area to minimize skin irritation.