Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Radiation therapy is a common tool used by medical professionals to kill or destroy cancer cells that might remain in the body following surgery, or as a first-step treatment for low-grade or low-stage cancer growth found in the prostate gland. Radiation might also be an option for those patients experiencing a recurrence or regrowth of cancerous tissue cells in the prostate some time after surgery on the prostate, or complete removal of the prostate is performed.

EBRT

• External Beam Radiation Therapy is a type of therapy in which the individual will lie down a table and receive radiation from an external source, like a laser that looks much like an X-ray or imaging machine. This technique is also called EBRT. The area to be exposed to radiation is often marked on the skin with the use of a marker, which helps technicians focus the beam on the exact location to be treated with radiation.

3D-CRT

• Three-dimensional Radiation Therapy is commonly used today, and is known as 3D-CRT, which stands for three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy. Computers are used in this technique to deliver precise radiation that reduces injury and death to non-cancerous tissues during the radiation process. The patient is often placed in a body-mold-type cast that holds the person still while the beam is focused on the area to be treated.

IMRT

• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, also known as IMRT, is also commonly used today, and is also machine directed and controlled by a computer. In this technique, the patient is moved or rotated around the machine that emits a radiation beam, enabling the beam to provide several different angles to offer higher strength and effectiveness against the cancer growth.

Proton Beams

• Conformal Proton Beam Radiation Therapy is similar to 3D-CRT but uses proton beams instead of an X-ray approach to delivering the radiation. This is a fairly new technology. Studies regarding its effectiveness are still under observation. Advancing technologies in external beam radiation offer a more precise focus against cancerous tissues and cause less harm, damage or death to non-cancerous tissues in surrounding areas.

Brachytherapy

• Internal radiation therapy is known as brachytherapy and is performed by the insertion of tiny radioactive pellets or seeds into the prostate. This technique is generally limited to men experiencing slow-growing tumors or cancer growth. The seeds or pellets emit low doses or radiation for a period of weeks or months, depending on effect and results to individual patients.