Possible Side Effects Of Radiation Treatment For Prostate Cancer
Despite the precautions taken to give the radiotherapy as accurately as possible there will always be some side effects associated with radiotherapy to the prostate gland even with “best treatment”. This is partly because to reach the prostate gland from the outside the X-rays have to pass through normal tissues (bladder, bowel, skin) and partly because an area around the prostate gland needs to be treated in case the prostate is in a slightly different position each day (e.g. because the bladder is filled to a different extent) and because it can treat any cancer cells which are trying to invade out of the prostate gland itself.
EARLY SIDE EFFECTS
a. Tiredness and Fatigue – most patients receiving radiotherapy will feel tired especially towards the end of treatment.
b. Skin reaction – this is usually very mild with prostate cancer treatment and may be a slight pinking of the skin or sometimes a sore back passage
c. Diarrhoea – the x-rays will have to pass through some of your bowel to reach the prostate gland and this can irritate the bowel and cause diarrhoea, it can usually be well controlled by medication
d. Cystitis – a burning feeling when you pass water is due to irritation of the bladder by the X-rays on their way to the prostate gland
e. Piles – these can often flare up during treatment
f. Loss of Hair – you may lose some of your pubic hair where the x-rays pass through the skin but this normally grows back after treatment finishes, the hair on you head will not be affected
g. Impotence – radiotherapy may make it difficult for you to have or maintain an erection
LATE SIDE EFFECTS
In a small number of patients permanent damage to bowel or bladder may occur and can sometimes require treatment. In some men the impotence fails to recover.
While there are forms of alternative prostate cancer treatment, the above are considered to be the proven techniques and procedures.
Adrian Jones
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/possible-side-effects-of-radiation-treatment-for-prostate-cancer-107275.html
Filed under: treatment for cancer
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below is a guide about prostate cancer.. this set if really good for information.. hope your dad does well and gets better soon. good luck
References :
http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/guide/default.htm
As a guy I would definitely go for option #4 if the doctor doesn’t object to it. There is a good chance that there will be
new and better treatments available during the next 10 years.
References :
The ‘seed’ therapy you refer to is called brachytherapy, my uncle had that done. My dad had standard radiation for his. Both of them had high PSA readings and were at risk for mets. Both suffered greatly from their treatments but are cancer free now.
Men with prostate cancer may not have a raised PSA
2 out of 3 men with a raised PSA do not have prostate cancer
There is uncertainty about the best way to treat early prostate cancer
Generally speaking, the higher the PSA level, the more likely it is that there is a cancer in the prostate. The higher the PSA level in someone with prostate cancer, the more likely it is that the cancer has spread. But there are other causes of raised PSA, such as infection, a non cancerous enlarged prostate and even exercise and sex.
A PSA reading of 2.8 is relatively still quite low.. checking every 2nd month would be a good plan before putting himself thru the horrors of radiation. JMO!!
References :
well in such case the ayrvedic medicine can be a side effect free treatment for prostate cancer, and I have seen many patient who get cured by this.
check out this site for more info
http://cancer-symptoms-and-treatments.blogspot.com/
References :
I had prostate cancer in 2005. I am fine now. I had Proton Radiation at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda California. Proton Radiation is not like conventional radiation. Proton Radiation has little to no side effects.. It is very different from the conventional radiation you mention in your question. Approximatly 90% of the treatment energy of Proton Radiation is delivered exactly to the exact place being treated. Surrounding tissue and organs are not damaged. In my opinion, Proton Radiation is the very best Prostate Cancer treatment available today. It has little to no side effects and as good if not better cure rate than the other treatments… The cure rate is about 90% probably even a higher cure rate with a PSA like your dads…and by the way I met several men with low PSA who had Prostate Cancer when I was receiving my treatments.. My PSA was 4.5 and a Gleason of 6. My PSA is now .13 that is point one three!!!!!!.
There is a website called Proton Bob (Bob stands for Brotherhood of the Balloon) that tells lots about Prostate Cancer and Proton Radiation. If you go to the website, please read the Testimonial section of former Patients.. You will find that every one who has had Proton Radiation is as sold on it as I am…and why not.. no side effects and a great cure rate.. its a no brainer decision.. I was not sick for one single day during or after my treatments and I am cured and have no damage or side effects of any kind. Also, Proton Radiation does not effect your other body functions like the other treatments, I dont have to wear a diaper like many who have surgery end up having to do… and all my male plumbing still works just as before …if you know what I mean..
Also there is a new book just out that any one with Prostate Cancer should have . It is called YOU CAN BEAT PROSTATE CANCER and was written by Robert J. Marckini a Postate Cancer survivor. He tells much about Prostate Cancer in the book and tells about all of the treatments available today and the pros and cons of each treatment. The main thing you father should do, in my opinion is to check out the options and not let some doctor talk him in to what ever treatment he is trained in or offers.. That is not necessarily the best thing to do. He doesnt have to decide immediately. I would take a month or so myself and be sure about which treatment I wanted.. Again, I personally feel nothing compares with Proton Radiation.. It is available in about 4 states now.. some doctors dont recommend it becasue they dont know about it, consider it experimental or dont want to send their patients elsewhere…a money thing!!for them….Because of Loma Lindas great sucess with the Proton progam over the last 17 years, other hospitals are starting to offer it.. MD Anderson in HOuston just started, Mass General in Boston, a hospital in Jacksonville Florida and one in Indiana that I know of.. the Proton Bob website tells where they are.
Any way, I hope this is helpful. If you or your dad have any questions about Prostate Cancer or Proton Radiation, I will be glad to share my experience with you or I can furnish you with contacts with men in your area who have had Proton Radiation and who would be glad to share their experience with you… We are all 100% sold on the treatment. Just email me if you want more info. I cant do a spelling check, I get cut off from the internet..so here it comes bad spelling, typos and all…have a great day
References :
How is it possible to have prostate cancer with a PSA of 2.8 and what are some good treatments for it?
My dad was just recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and his PSA was 2.8. I don’t understand how this is possible if it is such a low number. He’s also 46 years old. I would also like to know what kind of treatment is better and why. His options are:
1) radiation (but the problem with that is that it could damage other areas)
2) surgery (but this just leaves you even worse according to a book he’s reading. there’s a lot of peeing problems where you can no longer hold it in even when you laugh and it also creates a problem with your sex life etc.)
3) Seed implants (not really sure of the name but they put these little seeds inside of you, but again it also has a side effect.)
4) just controlling it every 2 months (with this he can live from 10-15 years by not doing anything and just living with the cancer and when it gets really bad, then try the other options above)
what’s the best option?? please help!
I would greatly appreciate it!!
thanks!!