What is external-beam radiation therapy and what are the major side effects? How do I know if this is the best treatment option for me?
Academic Title: Assistant Professor
Board Certifications:
Radiation Oncology
External beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer consists of treating prostate cancer with high-energy x-ray beams that are designed to precisely target the prostate. External beam radiation therapy is usually delivered using a linear accelerator, which is a machine that produces and delivers megavoltage x-rays.
Standard external beam radiation therapy schedules involve daily treatments, each of which takes about 15 minutes, delivered Monday-Friday over 8-9 weeks. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a form of external beam radiation therapy that is widely used for prostate cancer treatment to reduce the radiation dose delivered to the rectum and bladder. External beam radiation therapy often causes temporary fatigue, urinary frequency, and rectal irritation, but most symptoms resolve within a few weeks or months after finishing treatment.
Patients are at risk of developing erectile dysfunction, delayed rectal or bladder bleeding, urethral stricture, or permanent changes in bowel or bladder function.
Many patients choose to receive external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer. In order to determine if this is the right treatment option for you, you should discuss all treatment options with your urologist and radiation oncologist. There are also a variety of sources of information available on the internet to assist with your decision.