Radiation is one common treatment option for prostate cancer, and it comes in two basic forms, according to RadiologyInfo.org, a service of the Radiology Society of North America and the American College of Radiology. External beam therapy, or EBT, uses a beam of X-rays to destroy the cancer. Today a computerized system is often used to precisely target the tumor in hopes of minimizing side effects. There is also brachytherapy, in which tiny radioactive seeds are implanted in the prostate. The seeds remain in the prostate forever, but after delivering about a month of continuous radiation they become inert. Sometimes when prostate cancer has spread, both forms are used in combination, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Initial Side Effects
As men are undergoing either form of radiation treatment, it is common for them to tire easily, according to RadiologyInfo.org. They may also have diarrhea and frequent and painful urination. If a patient is receiving EBT, he may have skin problems in the area being treated, including dryness and more rarely redness or tenderness. There may also be hair loss in the treated area, which is sometimes permanent, and a decline in sexual function. Brachytherapy carries a small risk that the radioactive seeds will migrate to other parts of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Many of these initial side effects clear up a few weeks after therapy ends, but sometimes they can be permanent, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Impotence
Both forms of radiation therapy cause a long-term risk of impotence for some men, according to RadiologyInfo.org. This can be delayed but develops over time, according to the Mayo Clinic. Or there can be a decline in sexual function, such as difficulty maintaining an erection.
Urinary Problems
There is a long-term risk of urinary and rectal problems developing after both forms of radiation therapy, according to RadiologyInfo.org. This usually occurs one to three years after therapy. Urinary problems such as an increase in frequency or urgency, or sometimes leakage, are often treatable with medication. But sometimes surgery is needed to repair injuries to the bladder or rectum, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Bowel Problems
Bowel problems can include rectal bleeding, scarring and urgency, and can develop over time. The risk of bowel problems is higher with EBT, but the risk of urinary problems is higher with brachytherapy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
