Side Effects Of Radiation Treatment For Prostate Cancer

Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer: Forewarning

Radiation therapy, because of its numerous side effects, is seen as the last resort treatment for prostate cancer. That is why the people usually opting for radiation therapy are also those patients who have already gone through and tried all other options, and thus making a relatively safe procedure of radiation therapy having the highest mortality rate.

For all its worth, radiation therapy is the least enveloping cancer treatment. That alone speaks of the least complications.

The Side Effects of Radiation Therapy on Prostate Cancer are expected. Except the risk of another cancer, it is the same with all other the treatment for prostatecancer: infertility, impotence, bowel and/ or urinary incontinence. Another danger is the damage of the epithelial surface of the skin where the radiation had hit. There is also the collateral radiation damage, this damage of the surrounding tissues where it may hit some vital organs less resilient to the effects of radiation. The gonads are likely to be hit, thus causing infertility. Risks include severe urinary frequency or urgency, rectal problems, hair loss, and damage to the surrounding tissues. Another most commonly noticed symptoms is fatigue but the exact cause is unknown.

After Side Effects of Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer:

Incontinence is important destructive part effect caused by radiation treatment. There are chances of injuring the urinary part during this procedure. Due to this reason a weak urine flow and even the inability to urinate. This condition is very painful and would be a hindrance to one's normal activities. In some cases, blood in the urine and/or semen can be found. Burning sensation during urination and pain in the lower back are signs of prostate cancer as well. Serious incontinence cases though are rare, affecting 1% - 3% of the men undergoing radiation treatment. Though the symptoms will usually go away the longest in a year, it is permanent in less than 1% of the radiation treated men.

Other crucial Side Effects of Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer is impotence - complexity in having a composition, even if the sexual drive is still present. Older practice of radiation treatment have long been considered complicating due to the numerous of side effects and complications that follow suit. And there were cases where the quality of life is compromised: infertility, impotence, incontinence, dryness, and another cancer becomes a problem post operation using radiation treatment.

Causes by Side Effects of Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer:

Infertility is another problem caused by Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer. Enlarged prostate or medically termed, as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition of the prostate that grows beyond its ordinary size. Prostate development is a natural biological process in men. Radiation to the testicles can cause permanent loss of sperm production. Unless the cancer is in the testicles, they can usually be protected from radiation by using a "clam shell" type of shield. Radiation therapy to the pelvis can cause problems with erections by damaging the arteries and nerves that supply the penis. The higher the dose of radiation and the wider the section of the pelvis irradiated, the greater the chance that an erection problem will develop. Testosterone is a male hormone that plays an important role in erections. Some men have less testosterone after pelvic radiation. The testicles, which produce testosterone, may have been affected either by a mild dose of scattered radiation or by the general stress of cancer treatment. The testosterone level will usually recover within 6 months of radiation therapy. However, if a man notices erection problems or low desire after cancer treatment, the doctor may decide to do a blood test to find out if testosterone is low. Some men can take testosterone to get low levels back to normal. Men with prostate cancer should know that replacement testosterone can speed up the growth of prostate cancer cells

But with Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment, the beam is precisely directed, with range and peak closely monitored. That means even if in a depth, the Radiation Therapy can still burn off tissues without having the need for a highly invasive surgery.
You can also find more info on laser prostate and enlarged prostate. Prostatecancertreatmenthelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about prostate cancer treatment.