In early stage prostate cancer, radiation can be used instead of surgery, or it may be used after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may remain in the area. In metastatic diseases, it may be given to relieve pain or other problems.
Some patients receive both kinds of radiation therapy.
For external radiation therapy for prostate cancer, the patient is treated in an outpatient department of a hospital or clinic. Treatment generally is given 5 days a week for about 6 weeks. This schedule helps protect healthy tissues by spreading out the total dose of radiation. The rays are aimed at the pelvis. Studies have shown that prophylactic irradiation of clinically or pathologically uninvolved pelvic lymph nodes does not appear to improve overall survival or prostate cancer-specific survival.