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