Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapy

Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapy External beam radiation treatment or radiotherapy is not new. Electron beam radiotherapy was initially tested in 1915. This beam, the one used in X-Rays was not effective because it caused almost as much damage as it did good. Proton beam radiotherapy was first proposed in 1946 and was carried out from 1954. This was far more successful because it is possible to retain more control over the point of influence of the beam. This means less collateral damage to the surrounding healthy \cells. Apart from these technologies there are also other external beams like the neutron beam and the 3D-CRT beam. There are also other more investigational beams and what is known as seed radiation as well. Except for seed radiation, there is no invasive surgery needed with external beam radiation therapy, there is very little collateral harm and practically no side effect, so you would suppose that this is the best prostate cancer therapy to go for. However, this is not always true, because there are so many other factors that have to be taken into account. These factors, such as the stage of the cancer, the general health of the patient and the patient's point of view make the assessment a complex one. Consequently, if you have questions that have been raised from reading this short piece, please take them up with your doctor or healthcare provider. Prostate cancer is like an oil tanker, it can move quickly, but it takes a long time to reach this speed. If you have caught the cancer early, say, in stage one, your physician might choose to 'wait and see'. This can get upsetting for the patient, but it is a sincere strategy, because not all growths are cancerous and the prostate grows with age anyway. It is better for the GP to carry out a number of tests and 'watchful waiting' to have conclusive proof what the growth is. The first test will be a rectal examination with a finger (DRE), the medical doctor may then check your PSA count. PSA stands for 'prostate specific antigen', This antigen is produced by the prostate and some of it passes into the blood. A small amount is standard, higher amounts might indicate a problem and its severity. Age is a factor, but if the level reaches 10, then more check ups have to be carried out and they might require a biopsy of the prostate to carry them out. Once the medical doctor is sure that you have cancer, then radiation therapy is just one of the options available and although you may prefer the sound of it, it might not be the most suitable treatment in your case. Radiation therapy is very local in its impact, so if your cancer has not spread, radiation therapy may be used to pick off solitary specks of growth. However, if it has gone further than that, it is likely that a different treatment will be selected

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a number of subjects, but is now involved with the proton prostate cancer treatment. If you want to know more go to What is the Treatment for Prostate Cancer</a>?