Radiation therapy in Prostate Cancer Treatment is usually given after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer relapse coming back. Radiation may be used:
As the first treatment for low-grade cancer that is still just in the prostate gland. As a combination treatment for cancers that have grown outside of the prostate gland and into nearby tissues. If there is any residual cancer or relapses / comes back (recurs) in the area of the prostate after the initial surgery. If the cancer is well spread and the tumour is big, to reduce the size of the tumor and to provide relief from present and possible future symptoms. The 2 main types of radiation therapy are external beam radiation and brachytherapy (internal radiation). Both appear to be good methods of treating prostate cancer, although there is more long-term information about the results with external beam radiation.
