Statistically speaking, most of the men who reach the age of 50 years and above, suffer from this disturbance disease that may debilitate the affected person or worst it may lead to death. This disease is called Prostate cancer. The primary cause of the prostate cancer is unknown. As a matter of fact, most of the cancer has unknown causes. Prostate cancer only happens in men, due to the fact that only men have prostate gland. Radiation treatment has been found effective in eliminating the cancer cells in the prostate gland. Since it uses radiation, it can cause several effects in the body. This may include the good and the bad effects.
Prostate cancer radiation treatment has three subtypes: the External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRP), Brachytherapy or seed therapy, and the Radionuclide Therapy. These three therapies have different effects on the body.
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRP) uses a radiation beam from the external part projected to the location of the tumor on the prostate gland. It uses a very high radiation in order to shrink and eliminate those cancer cells. Since cancer cells are also live cells, they are capable of dividing another cancer cell. With the use of external beam radiation therapy, it will keep the cancer cells in dividing. The treatment actually projects on the skin, that is why, skin discomforts is inevitable. The area where the radiation was exposed will produce a swollen, warm and reddish skin surface. This reaction is normal but it will last up to the end of the treatment. Erectile dysfunction is also one of the common side effects of this radiation therapy. The other side effects include urinary disturbances such as presence of blood in the urine, or even urinary incontinence.
The implantation of the radioactive substance is called the brachytherapy or the seed therapy. This type of radiation therapy is internal, which means, it is directly embedded on the affected area of the prostate gland. The radioactive substance looks like a rice granule and with the help of the ultrasound; it will be directly placed onto it. It has been found effective in killing the cancer cells, while maintaining those healthy cells that surrounding it. Since the therapy is internal, the side effects will be limited on the urinary and reproductive system of the male. Actually, they have the same side effects with the external radiation therapy, however; brachytherapy is more intense. Side effects may include the feeling of urgency, dribbling streams may also be observed and the frequency of urination may lead to the discomfort of the patient who underwent this type of therapy. Painful ejaculation may also occur, might as well the erectile dysfunction.
Radionuclide therapy involves medicinal drug to treat the cancer cells that already metastasized into the bone. Generalized symptoms such as nausea and vomiting and also fatigue may be felt by the patient. Too much dose of this drug can cause damage into the kidneys and liver, that is why, oncologists are very careful in computing the dosage for their patient.
You should be more cautious about your health. If you experience the early symptoms of prostate cancer you must be aware with its negative effects. The only way to survive from this type of disease is through Prostate Cancer Treatments, never take it for granted. You should not avoid yourself from the medical experts. Don't let your family suffer because of your own negligence. Click here for more details about the discreet symptoms of prostate cancer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karl_Real
View the original article here
Prostate,Cancer,Radiation,Treatment,Effects
No comments:
Post a Comment