Prostate Cancer Information

Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

There are multiple types of radiation therapy that can be effective in treating prostate cancer. As with other types of cancer, radiation therapy works by killing or inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells in the prostate. Because radiation can also affect normal, healthy tissue, the delivery of radiation treatment is administered in a targeted and precise manner.

For the treatment of prostate cancer, radiation therapy can be delivered by means of external beam therapy (where advanced machines produce targeted beams of high velocity photons) or by placing radioactive seeds directly into the cancer-infected area.

Internal and External Therapy Options

External beam therapy is non-invasive and can be delivered with some of today’s most advanced treatment technologies that include IMRT, IGRT and CyberKnife.

Internal radiation therapy, also known as brachytherapy, can be delivered by means of prostate seed implants. A prostate seed implant procedure places rice-sized radioactive material next to the prostate that is safe to adjacent healthy tissue and temporary, as it emits radiation for a period of only weeks or months.

Treatment Tailored to the Patient

While both external beam therapy, which includes CyberKnife, and prostate seed implants are common and effective ways to treat prostate cancer in many patients, each patient we see is unique and requires a custom-tailored treatment plan and approach. Our physicians work closely with medical oncologists, urologist and primary care providers to ensure that radiation therapy for prostate cancer is the most beneficial form of cancer treatment that also compliments other cancer-fighting efforts.

Depending on the situation and a patient’s individual needs, other radiation therapy methods may be employed that range from high dose brachytherapy (HDR) to clinical trials of other advanced treatment methods. At ROA, we strive to be able to provide the widest range of clinical options for prostate cancer patients that can not only give patients hope, but a better chance to fight cancer.

For more information on prostate cancer and treatment options, view the National Cancer Institute’s online guide titled What You Need To Know About™ Prostate Cancer.