Prostate Cancer Radiation Treatments & Side Effects

Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatment options for prostate cancer. If considering radiation treatment, be sure you are aware of the methods of delivery and potential side effects.

Radiation Treatment Options

• There are two main methods of delivery of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. External beam radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation from an outside source to kill the cancer. Brachytherapy is a form of radiation treatment in which radiative seeds are implanted near or in the cancerous tissue of the prostate gland. Both types have similar side effects.

Bowel Function Side Effects of External Beam Radiation

• External beam radiation therapy requires treatment five days a week for up to nine weeks. According to Peter T. Scardino, chairman of the Urology Department at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the rectal wall receives peripheral damage with 6 to 8 percent of patients developing inflammation of the rectum, leading to diarrhea, frequent stools, passing of mucus and enough rectal bleeding to require a tampon or pad.

  More damage occurs as radiation treatment progresses, which may lead to ulceration of the anal canal, resulting in painful bowel movements and bleeding.

Bowel Function Side Effects of Brachytherapy

• Brachytherapy may cause rectal irritation, pain, burning, frequency and urgency of bowel movements.

Urinary Side Effects of External Beam Radiation

• The six- to nine-week external beam radiation treatment can cause damage to the urethra resulting in bleeding, irritation and pain, urinary frequency, urgency and burning. Long-term side effects include bleeding and pain.

Urinary Side Effects of Brachytherapy

• Urinary side effects associated with brachytherapy include lower urinary tract irritation, pain, inflammation, burning, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, painful urination and waking several times at night to urinate.

Sexual Side Effects

• Both treatments cause erectile dysfunction and possible pubic hair loss. Radiation mutates sperm cells, so fathering a child after either therapy is also highly unlikely.