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Radiation Treatment and Brachytherapy
Radiation kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA and limiting their ability to reproduce. Radiation is the second most commonly used treatment for prostate cancer, and is often recommended for older men and those who face higher risks from undergoing surgery. Rates of success are similar to those for surgery, but depend largely on the cancer’s stage. Internal RadiationInternal radiation via seed implants, also known as brachytherapy, involves the injection of tiny ‘seeds’ containing radioactive isotopes into the prostate. The radiation only reaches a few millimeters from the seeds, so they can deliver a higher dose in a smaller area, causing less damage to the surrounding tissue. Brachytherapy is most often recommended for early prostate cancers confined to a limited area. The seeds are smaller than a grain of rice, and the number used varies from 40-120, depending on the size of the area to be treated. The seeds are left in place permanently, and usually lose their radioactivity within a year. This procedure takes about one to two hours under anesthesia. Internal radiation also causes side effects such as short term bowel or bladder problems, and long term erectile dysfunction.Internal radiation therapy can also temporarily decrease energy levels and cause loss of appetite. High-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR) is sometimes used for patients with more aggressive cancers. HDR involves very short term insertion of seeds with a higher dose of radiation, sometimes in conjunction with external radiation. Side EffectsLong-term erectile dysfunction (ED) develops in 10-40 percent of men during the two years following external radiation (EBRT), and about 10-60 percent of men following internal or brachytherapy. These variations largely depend on the patient’s age. About 50 percent of men suffering from ED as a result of radiation treatment respond well to treatment with ED drugs. Most men suffer some urinary problems during radiation treatment. These usually disappear within a few months. Only about 5 percent suffer severe or permanent symptoms. Temporary rectal problems occur for less than 10 percent of men, but it is normal to find some blood in the bowel after treatment. Additional Uses for Radiation TherapyFor treating pain associated with metastatic prostate cancer, radioactive medications can be injected into the bloodstream to treat cancer in multiple bone areas. These are compounds of radioactive materials bound to calcium so as to be drawn into bone. Radiation Research NewsThe following information was compiled from previously published study results and news stories. This page was last updated on 07.01.2008 Radiation May Provide Good Option for Recurrent Prostate CancerMen who experience prostate cancer recurrence after undergoing surgical removal of the prostate may benefit from early radiation therapy, according to a recent study. The study analyzed the outcomes of 635 men who underwent radical prostate surgery and subsequently relapsed. The survival advantage was seen in patients treated within two years of relapse and in those with PSA levels rapidly on the rise. "Our results suggest that salvage radiation may be appropriate for those men with rapidly growing tumors who previously may not have been considered for such therapy," said Dr. Bruce T. Trock of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Radiation May Help After Prostate Cancer Setback
Radiation Improves Survival for Advanced Prostate CancerMen with advanced prostate cancer that hasn't spread beyond the gland should receive radiation therapy as soon as the prostate has been removed, a new long-term study says. "What we are showing today is that there is a significant difference between men who were treated with radiation and those who weren't," study co-author Dr. Gregory P. Swanson, of Cancer Care Northwest Spokane, Wash., said during a Tuesday teleconference at the American Urological Association annual meeting, in Orlando, Fla. "We found that overall survival increased among men who had radiation therapy compared with those who did not," he said. Radiation May Raise Risk of Other CancersPatients undergoing external beam radiation for localized prostate cancer may encounter a slightly increased risk of developing other cancers. These recent findings may have an impact on treatment decisions for prostate cancer patients. "We saw an increased risk for lung, bladder and rectal cancer among patients treated with external beam radiation for prostate cancer," said lead researcher Dr. Naeem Bhojani, from the University of Montreal's Department of Urology. "However, in absolute terms, the absolute risk associated with the development of secondary malignancies in patients exposed to external beam radiation therapy is quite small." Radiation for Prostate Cancer Raises Risk of Other Cancers |  | ||||||||||||||||||||
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