Prostate cancer is common cancer that’s affecting men. If you happen to be diagnosed with prostate cancer then you might be wondering about the best treatment methods to follow.
The most common type of cancer treatments includes radiation and surgery. Early diagnosis of any cancer is very important because it helps minimize the risks and invasive procedures that are used when the cancer is advanced.
Localized prostate cancer means that it has not spread to other parts of your body and therefore it can be safely removed and you be cured of prostate cancer. If your cancer is not acute your physician will present you with about three treatment options when is radiotherapy, surgery, or active surveillance.
Men are eager to know the best treatment type for their prostate cancer. Note that there is a misconception that only one option is the best or safer. Both radiation therapy and surgery can be used to treat prostate cancer and achieve the desired results. The best thing about prostate cancer is that it spread slowly so men have some time to think of the options to go for.
Radiation Therapy For Prostate Cancer
Over the years radiotherapy has improved and more advanced techniques have been used to administer this therapy thus providing better results. Advanced radiotherapy ensures that most of the cells and tissues are preserved. There is also an introduction of hydrogel which is used to protect the surrounding tissues and cells during radiation therapy.
There are two types of radiation therapy for prostate cancer include;
Exterior Beam Radiation
External beam radiation therapy is the most commonly used in the treatment of various cancers. The radiation beam is directed towards the cancerous cells from the outside. There is an introduction of advanced exterior beam radiation techniques which allows for more precise procedures. Image-guided radiation therapy is one of these advancements that uses computer-controlled machines to precisely see the targeted tumor in three dimensions.
Another important advancement in external beam radiation therapy is that it now requires fewer daily treatments compared to the past.
Brachytherapy
This is a kind of internal radiation therapy that is used the in treatment of prostate cancer. Radiation beams are delivered using mountable devices or catheters. The high-dose brachytherapy uses Iridium 192 which is a higher radioactive material, to direct precise radiation to the cancer tumor. The best thing about this method is that it is highly effective and requires fewer sessions compared to other types of prostate cancer radiation therapy treatment options.
Are There Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy For Prostate Cancer Treatment?
There are common types of side effects that result from the use of radiation therapy and treatment of prostate cancer some of these include sexual dysfunctions, bowel problems as well as urinary issues.
Urinary leaking, low sexual drive and bowel problems such as loose stools and diarrhea are the reported side effects of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The best thing is that these are just temporary issues that are resolved after the completion of the treatment.
Treatment Of Prostate Cancer Using Surgery
The surgical removal of prostate cancer is called radical prostatectomy. This type of surgery can be conducted using the traditional method of cutting an incision at the abdomen to remove cancer. There is however a less invasive method know as laparoscopic which is the use of a robotic system. The best thing about this type of surgery is that the robot requires less cutting and hence quick recovery and minimal complications.
Surgery today has evolved nowadays because of the use of advanced machines that aims at preserving as many healthy tissues as possible. In prostate cancer treatment high precision is paramount for better results. This is the main reason why there is the use of computer-controlled surgical equipment. This is designed to give surgeons higher precision while conducting the surgery. Doing this allows patients to have better recovery and avoid cases of erectile dysfunctions.
Are There Complications Or Side Effects Of Prostate Cancer Surgery?
Similar to radiation therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer erectile dysfunction and urinary problems are the main side effects experienced. It is however important to note that according to research conducted on men who have undergone these two types of surgeries, those who had radical prostatectomy had higher urinary inconsistencies and erectile dysfunction compared to those who had radiation therapy.
This however should not worry you because a large number of men reported having an improvement of these side effects in about 6 months after the surgery. Bowel issues are however minimum for men who have undergone radical prostatectomy.
How To Decide If You Want Radiation Or Surgery For Prostate Cancer?
There is still a debate on selecting the best options to go by. Research that has been conducted on the outcomes of both procedures shows that both of them are effective in the treatment of prostate cancer and the choice of either of these depends on your underlying health conditions and is different from person to person.
To better decide on the treatment option to follow, it is important to first understand the disease itself. You can also gather as much information about the recovery experiences on either of these methods. Having a deep understanding of what it takes during and after the surgery or radiation therapy will help you to make a solid decision on which path to follow.
Making the right decision comes down to understanding the options that you have and how each of them can affect the outcomes you get. That is the main reason why it is always important first to undergo intensive diagnosis and pre-screening. This helps you to make the right decisions based on the results from the tests.
You should never feel the pressure of making a decision and if it comes to this if you take a few steps backward to contemplate on what you want. There is no set decision that is 100% right it all comes down to what is right for you. Therefore, never feel pressured to make any sudden decision. Just remember that the best way to deal with any cancer is to be diagnosed as early as possible when you notice anything unusual. Early diagnosis leads to early treatment which is very successful and helps avoid complications.
