External Beam Radiation Therapy Side Effects Prostate Cancer

External beam radiation therapy with androgen deprivation therapy in which radiation is paired with medications to lower levels of male hormones which can stimulate prostate cancer growth.

External beam radiation therapy side effects prostate cancer.

Doctors will often use external radiation therapy for prostate cancer patients who want to avoid the risks of surgery. Patients who receive any type of radiation therapy external beam or brachytherapy to treat their prostate cancer can have side effects. Frequent urination difficult or painful urination blood in the urine urinary leakage abdominal cramping diarrhea painful bowel movements rectal bleeding rectal leaking fatigue sexual dysfunction including. The side effects of external beam radiation therapy tend to be less severe than the side effects of other prostate cancer treatments.

A machine is used to aim high energy rays or beams from outside the body into the tumor. Below is a list of possible short term side effects. Skin reactions similar to a sunburn secondary cancers in the radiated area. Potential side effects of external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer may include.

Blood in your urine. Possible side effects specifically related to external radiation. Lymphedema fluid collects in the legs or genital area. Radiation is a local cancer treatment option with local side effects in the area being treated.

Fatigue skin reaction loss of appetite hair loss in your pubic area nausea diarrhea problems during urinating problems during urinating and other such urine problems can be reduced using a prostate. Short term side effects are ones that start during or shortly after your radiation treatment. Because the prostate is surrounded by the bladder and the rectum most of the side effects of external beam radiation are related to bladder and rectum irritation. Radiation technology allows the very careful delivery of external beam radiation therapy.