Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Mo Med. 2018 Mar-Apr;115(2):146-150.

Abstract

Annually, there are nearly 3000 new cases and 500 deaths from prostate cancer in Missouri. When treatment is appropriate and necessary, radiotherapy offers similar cure rates to prostatectomy, with fewer long-term sexual side effects and little effect on urinary continence. Radiotherapy is delivered with external beam or implanted radioactive sources (brachytherapy). In high-risk disease, combinations of external beam and brachytherapy offers improved biochemical control. Following prostatectomy, salvage radiotherapy should be initiated as soon as possible.

MeSH terms

  • Brachytherapy / methods*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Missouri / epidemiology
  • Prostatectomy / methods
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Salvage Therapy / methods