Does the prostate function after radiation therapy?
Does the prostate function after radiation therapy?
Temporary increases in PSA, also called “spikes” or “bounces,” may occur during the first 12 to 36 months after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or brachytherapy. These bounces are not signs of treatment failure. If you received hormone therapy, the PSA decline and the period of decline may be prolonged.
Will radiation shrink an enlarged prostate?
Radiation therapy can be an effective treatment for prostate cancer. It can shrink a tumor, relieve symptoms, and delay or halt the growth of cancer cells.
What is a good PSA after radiation?
Recent studies have shown that for optimal results, PSA levels should be lower than 1 ng/ml, and even lower than 0.5 ng/ml. Levels that are above 1 or 2 ng/ml 12 to 18 months following completion of radiation treatments are very worrisome, because they indicate that the cancer may not have been eradicated.
What is the success rate of radiation therapy for prostate cancer?
Men with localised prostate cancer who are treated with external-beam radiation therapy have a cure rate of 95.5% for intermediate-risk prostate cancer and 91.3% for high-risk prostate cancer.
How is radioactive prostate cancer treatment performed?
In this type, pellets (seeds) of radioactive material (such as iodine-125 or palladium-103) are placed inside thin needles, which are inserted through the skin in the area between the scrotum and anus and into the prostate. The pellets are left in place as the needles are removed and give off low doses of radiation for weeks or months.
How long does it take to get rid of prostate cancer?
External radiotherapy: Outpatient treatment gives you five days a week for four to eight weeks. The total dose of radiation and the amount of treatment you need depends on the size of the prostate cancer, your public health, and any other medical care you have or need.
What is image guided radiation therapy for prostate cancer?
This advance, known as image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), lets the doctor take pictures of the prostate just before giving the radiation to make minor adjustments in aiming. This appears to help deliver the radiation even more precisely and results in fewer side effects.
