The major side effects of this procedure are incontinence although generally this is transient and sexual dysfunction. The sexual dysfunction if it does occur can be managed with medical treatments. If the cancer does recur in the pelvis following surgical therapy radiation may be used as an additional therapy. Because of the potential morbidity of a major surgical procedure radical prostatectomy is typically limited to healthy fit patients who have an early tumor stage that is suitable for complete removal of the prostate and tumor. Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy is a common treatment in many forms of cancer.
Radiation utilizes high energy rays to kill cancer cells.
It is a nonspecific treatment and will effect normal as well as cancerous cells. Radiation is given typically in external beam technique which involves a series of treatments similar to receiving an x-ray to the pelvis. It can also be used to shrink the tumor or to treat local complications of prostate cancer growth. Radiation may be preceded with a short course of hormone therapy to reduce the volume of the prostate to limit the target volume that needs to be treated. This potentially will reduce the potential side effects of radiation as well as enhance the effects of radiation on the cancer.