Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

There are several different ways to treat prostate cancer. The method used will vary from person to person, and will depend on a variety of factors including a person’s general health and the cancer itself.

Treatment for Prostate Cancer at Blue Ridge Radiation Oncology

At Blue Ridge Radiation Oncology, we take pride in determining the best treatment plan for every individual with their preferences and wellbeing as our top priority. We use radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatment, which can be either externally or internally given.

Treatments for prostate cancer at Blue Ridge Radiation Oncology:

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  Prostate seed implant diagram. Image courtesy of Cancer Research UK.

  Brachytherapy: A type of internal radiation therapy. During this procedure, small, radioactive ‘seeds’ are placed directly into or next to a tumor. These implants are minimally invasive and cause little to no damage to healthy tissue. Blue Ridge Radiation Oncology was one of the first centers in the Southeast to used advanced SpaceOAR Hydrogel technology to protect the rectum during this procedure in order to improve patient comfort and reduce side effects.

• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): A type of external radiation therapy that is noninvasive and uses precisely calibrated beams of radiation to shrink tumors.

Our doctors are highly trained and experienced in treating prostate cancer. Our team is dedicated to providing you support before, during, and after treatment to ensure top-quality care.

Types of Treatments for Prostate Cancer

Treatments for prostate cancer are uniquely tailored to every individual. Factors such as age, overall health, and cancer spread and location will influence the treatment plan. As such, there is no single formula for everyone.

Treatments for prostate cancer include:

• Active surveillance: A ‘wait and see’ approach most often used for early stage slow-growing cancers that may not spread or cause symptoms. If a cancer spreads more quickly than projected during active surveillance, successful treatment may become more difficult over time.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the use of specially-tailored drugs to treat prostate cancer.
• Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy prevents the cancerous cells in the prostate from getting larger by limiting the amount of male hormones in the body.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is most commonly used when hormone therapy does not have an effect. This type of therapy treats prostate cancer by causing the immune system to destroy cancerous cells.
• Surgery: May be used for early stage prostate cancer to remove the prostate, or to help alleviate symptoms in later stages.
• Radiation Therapy: Internal radiation therapy, also known as brachytherapy, is a minimally-invasive procedure that places a permanent ‘seed’ directly into the prostate. Certain types of non-invasive external radiation therapy may be also be given to target tumor cells. Some men receive both types of radiation therapies.

Many of these therapies can be used in conjunction with each other for optimal effect. For example, radiation therapy may be given to shrink a tumor prior to surgery, or to ensure that all cancerous cells have been eliminated. Hormone therapy may be given along with radiation therapy for both early and late stage prostate cancers. There are many other combinations; your radiation team will determine the best fit for your treatment plan.

Your doctor will advise you about the benefits and risks of each treatment type and help you make the best decision for your health.