| e cancer is deadly to men over fifty, and is often so | | | | linear accelerator to send beams of radioactive |
| slow to really develop that it’s not noticed | | | | particles firing directly at the prostate. The latest |
| until it’s too late to remove by normal surgery. | | | | techniques enable the beam to match the shape of |
| Although prostate cancer can be prevented by | | | | the prostate so that other tissue isn’t |
| normal routine checkups and a healthy low-stress | | | | damaged. Usually, beam therapy is done over a |
| lifestyle, it’s still possible for any male to | | | | period of several weeks daily. There are fewer side |
| develop prostate cancer. Because of this, prostate | | | | effects with newer forms of prostate cancer |
| cancer radiation treatment is one of the most | | | | radiation therapy, however. |
| common methods of treating prostate cancer, and | | | | Brachytherapy, however, is done by infusing a series |
| it’s effective for the most part. However, it | | | | of small rods with radiation and inserting them into |
| isn’t perfect. Before getting prostate cancer | | | | the cancerous tissue. These rods act as a permanent |
| radiation treatment, it’s best to know how | | | | emitter of low-grade radiation. The X-rays are only |
| the treatment works. | | | | able to travel a short distance, so there’s little |
| The Alternative to Prostate Cancer Surgery | | | | chance of damage to the other surrounding tissues |
| Prostate cancer radiation treatment is also called | | | | of the body. This treatment tends to have a better |
| radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and is used when | | | | outcome as far as preventing recurring cancer. Also, |
| surgery fails or during any stage of the cancer. This | | | | there’s little chance of the radiation being |
| works by sending a wave of ionized radioactive | | | | exposed to other men. |
| particles. This radiation is absorbed into cells, which | | | | Prostate cancer radiation treatment is most |
| mutates the DNA and increases the likelihood of that | | | | commonly used in men who wouldn’t really be |
| cell dying. There are two main types of prostate | | | | able to have surgery safely. Prostate cancer radiation |
| cancer radiation treatment — beam therapy | | | | treatment is one of the most effective methods of |
| and brachytherapy. Radiation treatment is the most | | | | treatment for prostate cancer, but there are some |
| commonly used method for treating prostate cancer | | | | side effects, such as hair loss, sickness and overall |
| aside from surgery. | | | | loss of energy. |
| Beam therapy is done by placing the patient into a | | | | |