External Beam
Radiation Treatment

Return to Treatment Options

Treatment with EBRT involves focusing radiation from an external source on the prostate gland. The radiation team uses pre-treatment imaging studies such as MRIs, CT scans, or plain X-rays of the pelvis to determine the exact location of your prostate gland. Patients are typically treated daily, 5 days per week in an outpatient center over a period of 8 or 9 weeks. Each treatment lasts only a few minutes and is painless. EBRT is offered in many forms, each with their own advantages.

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) uses special computers to precisely map the location of your prostate. Radiation beams are then aimed at the prostate from several directions, which makes it less likely to damage normal tissues.

Although the procedure is relatively new, the short-term results suggest that it is at least as effective as standard radiation therapy. Long-term study results are still needed to confirm this.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is an advanced form of 3D therapy. It uses a machine that actually moves around the patient as it delivers radiation. In addition to aiming beams from several directions, the intensity (or strength) of the beams can be adjusted to minimize the dose of radiation reaching the most sensitive normal tissues while delivering a high dose to the cancer areas.

Conformal proton beam radiation therapy is related to 3DCRT and uses a similar approach. Instead of using x-rays, this technique focuses proton beams on the cancer. As with DCRT, early results are promising, but a long-term advantage over standard external beam radiation has not yet been proven. Also, proton beam radiation may not be covered by all insurance companies.

Benefits and advantages:

• An effective method of destroying prostate cancer
• If cancer is in an advanced stage, radiation reduces the size of the tumor and relieves pain
• Outpatient procedure
• Each session only takes a few minutes

Possible risks and side effects:

• Bowel problems, including diarrhea, blood in the stool, rectal leakage, irritated, large intestine.
• Bladder problems, including urinary urgency, frequency, burning while urinating, blood in your urine.
• Urinary incontinence
• Irritated intestines
• Impotence in up to 77% of men