Research>Prostate Cancer Radiation

Get to Know How Prostate Cancer Radiation Treatment Works

Prostate cancer is deadly to men over fifty, and is often so slow to really develop that it's not noticed until it's too late to remove by normal surgery. Although prostate cancer can be prevented by normal routine checkups and a healthy low-stress lifestyle, it's still possible for any male to develop prostate cancer. Because of this, prostate cancer radiation treatment is one of the most common methods of treating prostate cancer, and it's effective for the most part. However, it isn't perfect. Before getting prostate cancer radiation treatment, it's best to know how the treatment works.

The Alternative to Prostate Cancer Surgery

Prostate cancer radiation treatment is also called radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and is used when surgery fails or during any stage of the cancer. This works by sending a wave of ionized radioactive particles. This radiation is absorbed into cells, which mutates the DNA and increases the likelihood of that cell dying. There are two main types of prostate cancer radiation treatment - beam therapy and brachytherapy. Radiation treatment is the most commonly used method for treating prostate cancer aside from surgery.

Beam therapy is done by placing the patient into a linear accelerator to send beams of radioactive particles firing directly at the prostate. The latest techniques enable the beam to match the shape of the prostate so that other tissue isn't damaged. Usually, beam therapy is done over a period of several weeks daily. There are fewer side effects with newer forms of prostate cancer radiation therapy, however.

Brachytherapy, however, is done by infusing a series of small rods with radiation and inserting them into the cancerous tissue. These rods act as a permanent emitter of low-grade radiation. The X-rays are only able to travel a short distance, so there's little chance of damage to the other surrounding tissues of the body. This treatment tends to have a better outcome as far as preventing recurring cancer. Also, there's little chance of the radiation being exposed to other men.

Prostate cancer radiation treatment is most commonly used in men who wouldn't really be able to have surgery safely. Prostate cancer radiation treatment is one of the most effective methods of treatment for prostate cancer, but there are some side effects, such as hair loss, sickness and overall loss of energy.

Although prostate cancer is a very deadly disease, it can be easily dealt with if it's caught on time with regularly scheduled checkups and a healthy lifestyle.

What Does Radiation Therapy For Localized Prostate Cancer Involve?

One common form of treatment today for localized prostate cancer is radiation therapy which uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. These x-rays can either be delivered using an external radiation beam or by implanting radiation 'seeds' into the prostate gland.

External beam radiation therapy treatments are normally given on a daily basis 5 days a week (Monday to Friday) for anything up to about 6 or 7 weeks and each treatment, which is painless, lasts for just a few minutes. (Such treatments are also commonly given to patients whose cancer is no longer localized to the prostate gland but has spread into the pelvis and can also be used to relieve pain and reduce tumors in cases of advanced prostate cancer.)

In cases where tumors are large it is also common to give hormone treatment alongside radiation therapy in order to block the action of the male hormones which feed the growth of prostate cancer tumors. Such hormonal treatments are often continued for many months, or even years.

External beam radiation targets not only the prostate gland but also the seminal vesicles, to which prostate cancer can readily spread. In previous forms of this treatment it was also common to irradiate the pelvic lymph nodes but today this is only done in a minority of cases where evidence suggests that this is necessary.

There are generally few immediate side-effects to external beam radiation other than fatigue and possibly diarrhea when radiation is applied to the rectum, but both of these soon pass once treatment is completed.

Longer-term affects include impotence which affects about 40% to 50% of patients. This figure is however declining with the introduction of computer technology which now allows treatment to be tailored precisely to the anatomy of the patient with far more precise targeting than has previously been possible.

Turning to internal radiation therapy, this is a procedure in which dozens of tiny seeds are implanted directly into the prostate gland to deliver a high dose of radiation directly into the affected tissue.

Ultrasound is used to guide very thin needles from the perineum into the prostate gland to deposit the tiny seeds of palladium and iodine in a pattern which has previously been mapped using a very sophisticated computer program. The procedure, which usually takes about an hour, is carried out under local anesthetic and the patient is normally allowed home the same day. One alternative approach is to use more powerful temporary seed implants which are introduced over several days and possibly to combine this with low dose external radiation therapy. This procedure does however require hospitalization.

Internal radiation therapy carries few side-effects and normally leads to impotence in less that 15% of patients under the age of 70. It is not however suitable for everybody, especially men with large tumors or those who have undergone a transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Common Forms Of Prostate Cancer Treatment Prescribed (Feb 2007)

When a patient is first diagnosed with prostate cancer and has had all the relevant tests to check the extent of the disease he will normally have an appointment with his doctor to discuss what is best. Prostate cancer treatment will depend on the extent of the cancer and on the intent of the treatment. For example early prostate cancers will be treated with surgery, radiotherapy or watchful waiting. Prostate cancer surgery is a definite possibility for many men in the early stages of the disease and so the subject should be discussed with the doctor. Late prostate cancers will be treated with hormone therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a mixture of all 3. Often patients will be given a choice of treatments by the doctor and the pros and cons of each option explained. There is no best cancer of prostate treatment because the treatment you receive will depend on the extent of your cancer.

PROSTATE CANCER RADIOTHERAPY (COMMONLY CALLED PROSTATE CANCER RADIATION TREATMENT)

Many men undergo radiotherapy as it is often regarded as the best prostate cancer treatment. This may be with the aim to cure the cancer or to shrink and control it depending on the stage. Often hormone treatment is given prior to radiation treatment to help reduce the size of the cancer and improve the rate of cure. Small cancers don’t need this hormone pre-treatment.

TYPES OF PROSTATE CANCER RADIOTHERAPY

Radiotherapy is the treatment for cancer of the prostate with radiation. This is most often as X-rays which pass through the body and kill the cancer cells in its path known as “external beam radiotherapy”. The alternative way to treat the prostate is from within the body using small radioactive sources known as “brachytherapy”. Brachytherapy is only suitable for a small proportion of men with early prostate cancer and with a suitable sized prostate gland. It has the advantage of slightly fewer side effects during the treatment but would not be so effective at curing more bulky prostate cancers.

EXTERNAL BEAM RADIOTHERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER

The majority of men with cancer of the prostate will have this type of radiation treatment. It is given by a machine called a Linear Accelerator. This makes high energy X-rays which are good at killing cancer cells. Linear accelerators are worked by radiographers who will also help you get into the right position for your treatment and give you advice during your treatment.

For the treatment the patient has to lie on a thin couch, rather like those used in the CT or MRI scanners. The machine then moves around the patient to deliver X-rays from several different angles, all pointing towards the prostate gland. Each treatment takes approximately 10 minutes to give, and the full dose of treatment is spread out to be given every day over a few weeks. This helps to give a big enough dose to the prostate to kill the cancer whilst reducing the side effects of treatment.

To make sure you are in the correct position and the prostate is being treated properly either an X-ray picture or more usually an extra CT scan will be taken before treatment starts to locate the prostate gland accurately. At this time you will also be given several tattoos (tiny dots on the skin) so that when you lie on the couch for each treatment the radiographers can make sure you are lined up properly. This helps to make sure the prostate gland is treated fully and to reduce side effects.

Patients are not able to feel X-rays or even be aware that the treatment machine is on. However as patients go through the weeks of treatment there are a number of common side effects that can be expected. Most of these are short term side effects which slowly build up through the treatment, are worst at or just after the end of treatment and then improve quite quickly (within a few weeks). There are also some long-term or late side effects which can occur.

Prostrate Cancer And Radiation Side Effects

Newer technology in the field of prostrate cancer has meant that the condition can be dealt with more effectively and efficiently than it has been for so many years. This is good news especially as so many men develop some problem or the other regarding prostrate cancer. However, when it comes to treatment with radiation, the list of side effects could just be daunting. So what essentially is a curative process brings on its own ensuing set of problems.

Any one who is suffering from prostrate cancer and has radiation recommended as a therapy must acquaint himself with all the possible side effects before subjecting himself to this line of treatment. Maybe your life could be saved thanks to radiation, in which case there could be no choice as far as the treatment is concerned. However, do remember to take a close look at all the side effects you could possible suffer from as some of them could change your life. Let's take a look at the ones that could affect you the most.

One of the most unfortunate side effects is impotence. Even though the person might still have a sexual drive, he may not be able to get an erection and this could be terribly frustrating. Even though there is an erection, the person may not be able to maintain it. Ejaculation might be possible but the whole sexual experience could be a very disappointing performance. Radiation treatment may just be better than radical prostatectomy where there is usually permanent damage but for most men, radiation too affects sexual performance and this is a great risk that anyone undergoing it has to be aware of. It really is a trade-off for most men: live without cancer or at any rate, hope for a cancer-free life versus sexual satisfaction. It might not be a choice for most people but to think of a whole life ahead being frustrated has its downside too.

Another problem which is more of an embarrassment than anything else is incontinence. This happens if there is damage caused to the urinary sphincter during radiation. Depending on the extent of the damage, the patient could have varying incontinence problems. This can cause problems but most people can take recourse to surgery and correct the problem.

The third major side effect is infertility. Most prostrate problems have this as a side effect. So it would be best to save sperm cells before you decide to go in for that radiation treatment. This could be a life-changing problem so do get yourself a bit of counseling and advice on how to proceed.

Radiation does bring other side effects in its wake as well. These three, however are the major ones that really need to be looked at so the person can deal with life after radiation knowing full well what to expect. Not knowing what to expect and faced with such problems after the treatment can be quite a shock. That is why it is best to acquaint yourself with not just radiation but all that follows it.

Proton Therapy For Prostate Cancer Treatment - Look Ahead Prostate Cancer

Modern man should be putting a braver face facing Prostate Cancer because Proton Therapy for treatment would mean a more efficient way in addressing the problems of Cancer as well as the complications it usually bring along. This treatment is the last option for a patient of Prostate. They come in the feet's of this expensive treatment as they have no other option for their problem. Yet Therapy for Cancer Treatment proves to be quite victorious in solving the cases of cancer.

An Evaluation of Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment:

One of the most damaging side effects of radiation treatment for prostate is incontinence. If the urinary sphincter is damaged during the radiation treatment process, the patient will experience varying degrees of urinary incontinence, an unwilled action of urinating. This can be very life changing but there are those instances where a corrective surgery can be applied.

Serious incontinence cases though are rare, affecting 1% - 3% of the men undergoing radiation treatment. Though the symptoms will usually go away the longest in a year, it is permanent in less than 1% of the radiation treated men.

In consideration of the above all defects of radiation therapy, her comes a new treatment with latest technology known as Therapy for Prostate treatment. The probability of side effects under this therapy is very less as compared with that of radiation therapy.

It is helpful in solving problems like signs of prostate include a weak urine flow and even the inability to urinate. This condition is very painful and would be a hindrance to one's normal activities. In some cases, blood in the urine and/or semen can be found. Burning sensation during urination and pain in the lower back are signs of prostate as well.

Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment is a Well-Matched Therapy:

Proton therapy for prostate cancer treatment is of fussy significance to the patients of Cancer at the very initial level. This therapy is analgesic and pain-relieving as compared with that of radiation therapy. Once diagnosed, planning the treatment should logically follow. Research has shown that prostate is treated with Therapy Treatment varies from one patient to the other and depending on the severity of the disease. Understanding the cause or disease will help in making better informed decisions about the Therapy for cancer. If detected in its earlier stage the patient has bigger chances of recovering from the disease.

However the Proton Therapy for Cancer Treatment is costly as compared with radiation therapy because it involves use of expensive and latest technological tools and equipments. The advantages or merits of Proton for Cancer Treatment add worth to it. Because of this reason it is preferred by almost every patient suffering from Proton Cancer. One of the biggest advantages of this type of therapy is that it is easily available and best suited to persons having Proton Cancer.

Prostate Cancer And Proton Therapy

When prostrate cancer strikes, the first thing one has to do is sit down and look at the many possible lines of treatment and which one will work best depending on the diagnosis of what stage the prostrate cancer has got to. Mot people look at a whole lot of options before radiation treatment is resorted to and perhaps they come to it so late and this is why radiation has such a high mortality rate. All said and done, however, radiation is the least invasive of all the options available. This makes it likely to have the least amount of complications.

What you need to know about radiation therapy are the side effects. Like most of the other treatments, there is the risk of infertility, incontinence and impotence. The skin, too, tends to get affected and many experience epithelial damage at the point where the radiation strikes the skin. Not just this, there is also the risk of the surrounding tissue getting damaged and this could be a big risk if the organs are affected. Very often, the gonads are affected and this in fact is what causes infertility. It is all these problems that make radiation really a last choice.

Proton treatment on the other hand, has very few of these side effect problems. What makes it better than radiation treatment is the precision of its delivery. This, too, involves radiation but unlike conventional radiation treatment where there does seem to be a damaging of the surrounding areas, this therapy is precise in its application. It goes directly to the place where it should and nothing in the surrounding areas falls prey to the dangers of radiation. So what proton therapy assures you is all the goodness of radiation treatment without many of the problems that follow.

Proton therapy is of special significance when you are suffering from prostrate cancer in its early stages. This really is the best way to destroy all those cancer cells without resorting to surgery. However, it has been noticed that proton therapy is usually done as a kind of a palliative measure and it has helped even in cancer that is in the later stages. In which case, you will find that proton therapy is usually combined with other forms of treatment like surgery, chemotherapy or hormone treatment.

What proton therapy really does is to localize treatment. This is very welcome at a time when treatments come with the ensuing problems of bad side effects. Infertility, incontinence and impotence can really be major problems in life after prostrate cancer treatment. With this therapy there are far fewer side effects all thanks to the beam being so precise so as to cause the absolute minimal damage to the surrounding areas. The range and the peak of the beam can be monitored extremely well so that means that even tissues that lie deeper can be burned off very precisely, without having to go in for any invasive surgery. The only possible drawback is that this therapy is very expensive as it uses very expensive equipment. It is not that this therapy doesn't have side effects like the regular radiation therapy, just that the rate is so much lower.

The Hidden Truth on Prostate Cancer Exposed

Prostate cancer is without a doubt the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. If it is detected early and confined to the gland, then the prognosis is excellent. The prostate is a small gland that is located near the bladder in men. There is basically two types prostate cancer. One type is gentle and it has minimal effects. The other type can spread throughout the body, if not treated, and cause significant damage. It is important for prostate cancer to be detected early so the appropriate treatment can be utilized.

Prostate Cancer is usually a slow progressing type of cancer and the symptoms sometimes take years to develop. If the cancer is detected at an early stage, it is possible that there will be no noticeable symptoms. On the other hand, some men will experience some or all of the symptoms that can indicate that prostate cancer is present in their body. Sometimes the first symptoms can affect the lower back, hip or pelvic pain indicating the cancer may have has already spread. It is very important to understand that with either a benign enlargement of the prostate gland (non-cancerous) or malignancy (cancer), the symptoms are similar. These noticeable symptoms might include:

• Frequent urination, especially during the night

• Experiencing or having difficulty starting urination

• A weak or interrupted urine flow

• Discomfort, pain or a burning sensation during urination

• A difficulty in obtaining or maintaining an erection

• Moderate to intense pain during ejaculation

• Traces of blood in the urine or in semen

• Moderate to intense recurring pain or stiffness in the low back, hips, or upper thighs

It is also very common that men over 50 years of age will have an enlarged prostate gland due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that is a non-cancerous condition.

If you notice or experience any of the symptoms it is imperative that you see your doctor, who will diagnose the problem. Usually, in most instances involving an enlargement of the prostate it is not due to prostate cancer and proper medical treatment can deal with it effectively.

The actual symptoms of prostate cancer are caused when the growth of cells, benign or malignant, begin pressing or pushing against the urethra, which is a thin tube connecting the bladder to the penis. When this happens, you can experience painful urination or ejaculation, notice blood in the urine or semen, and pain in the lower back, hips or thighs.

Some of the symptoms can be caused by infections, but you should see your doctor and be checked. The doctor will do a DRE or digital rectal examination. It is very simple. The doctor will insert a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum to check for an enlarged prostate. Some doctors seem to have incredibly long fingers when they do this. Following this exam, they usually do a blood test to check the PSA (protein specific antigen) and determine if the level is within normal limits or if it is elevated. Depending on the results of these two tests, other tests or procedures maybe necessary.

The PSA and DRE tests, unfortunately, are not 100 % accurate and conclusive, but they do give the doctor some indication if a problem exists. Some of the important things that must be considered are: your current age, your general overall health and your lifestyle. If you are under 50 and are diagnosed with prostate cancer, it could shorten your life, if is not detected early enough. On the other hand, you are over 65 or in relatively poor health, then it is possible that prostate cancer might never become a serious problem to you, because of its slow-growing nature.

The American Cancer Society strongly recommends that men begin to have both the PSA blood test and digital rectal examination every year after turning 50. If you are at a higher risk, because of a family history, the testing should begin at 45.At the present time, the exact causes of prostate cancer are not clear, but there seems to be certain factors that may affect or increase your chances of developing it. Specifically, a family history of prostate cancer and a very fat-rich diet.

If the event the cancer has spread from the prostate or if it is thought that it will spread, then surgical removal of the prostate is usually performed with small parts of the lymphatic system near the gland. With the advancement nerve sparing surgical techniques, this type of surgery eliminates much of the nerve damage that would prevent you from experiencing any sexual problems or having control over urination.  This helps ensure that both the effects on function and quality of life are minimized.

The medical and surgical advancements in prostate cancer surgery now mean that the surgeons are able to successfully remove the prostate gland without causing the once problematic damage to the nerves, which was a major problem in the past. In addition, newer techniques in radiotherapy mean that higher doses can be safely and more efficiently targeted on the prostate. This kills more of the cancer cells and requires fewer treatments. Keep in mind, that sometimes, in the case of older men, the best treatment for prostate cancer is no treatment, especially when it is determined that surgery, radiation or chemotherapy may cause more harm than good.

There is a new treatment method known as prostate brachytherapy. The doctor may choose either permanent seed implantation, where injected radioactive seeds into the prostate will give a low dose of cancer killing radiation over a timeframe of several weeks or months. The injected seeds will remain permanently in the prostate gland. 

The other alternative with brachytherapy involves the placement of very tiny plastic catheters within the prostate and then delivering radiation treatments in a series, through the catheters.

It is encouraging to know that the prognosis for sufferers of prostate cancer has improved considerably in recent years. In the last twenty years or so, the survival rate for all of the prostate cancer stages has increased remarkably. Men are able to live significantly longer after they were diagnosed. These facts are the result of early detection programs, an increase in public awareness of prostate cancer symptoms and the practicing or changing to healthier lifestyles.

Deciding on the Best Treatment Option for Early Prostate Cancer

One of the most confusing things about being diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer is choosing if and how to treat it. Unlike other cancers that have one or two standard treatment options, acceptable approaches for prostate cancer are more numerous. Each has different pros and cons and the decision about how to proceed needs to be customized to each man, depending on his age, his general health, and the severity of his early prostate cancer.

Treatment options

· Radical prostatectomy is the surgical procedure that removes the prostate gland. The operation is traditionally performed through a vertical incision made in the pelvis. The man needs to be admitted to the hospital and recover for several days. The most worrisome potential long term side effects are urinary incontinence and impotence. A new technology is available: robotic laparoscopic prostatectomy. This method entails making five small incisions instead of one larger one. The recovery is expected to be faster and easier than with the traditional procedure.

· Radiation therapy has a cure rate comparable to that of surgery. The two forms of radiation therapy are external beam and brachytherapy, pronounced bray-kee-ther-uh-pee.

o External Beam Radiation Therapy entails the use of a radiation treatment machine, most commonly, a linear accelerator. Using sophisticated treatment planning computers and devices built into the linear accelerator, the radiation beams deliver a very precise dose of radiation to the intended area while sparing the normal surrounding structures, such as the rectum and bladder. By using 3-D conformal radiation therapy, the radiation beams conform to, or match the shape of the tumor. Intensity modulated radiation therapy, also known as IMRT, is a refinement of 3-D conformal radiation therapy. It uses multiple, tiny beamlets, instead of a single radiation beam. IMRT beamlets can be understood by visualizing it as multiple, tiny mosaic tiles of different hues of blue; the tumor receives the dark blue beamlets, whereas the tissue near the rectum and bladder receives the beamlets of the palest shade of blue.

This way, the intensity of each tiny beamlet is modulated. IMRT has enabled radiation oncologists to deliver much higher doses of radiation therapy to the prostate with fewer complications to the rectum, resulting in higher cure rates. Temporary and early side effects include the need to urinate frequently, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fatigue, which is usually not severe. Side effects that can develop months to years later include urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, albeit a significantly lower incidence than with surgery. With the advent of IMRT, the risk of rectal injury that can cause rectal bleeding is uncommon.

o Prostate Seed Implants introduce multiple radioactive pellets smaller than grains of rice into the prostate gland. The prostate gland then receives a substantial dose of radiation, but the surrounding tissues receive virtually none. This option is very attractive to men who are concerned about maintaining potency. Also, for men who do not have a significant risk of the cancer penetrating through the capsule that envelopes the prostate, a prostate seed implant can serve as the only form of therapy. However, men whose tumors fall into a higher risk category cannot be treated solely with a prostate seed implant, and need to supplement it with external beam radiation therapy, albeit a briefer course of treatment than in men who receive only external beam radiation therapy.

The disadvantages of brachytherapy include the fact that the radioactive seeds take several weeks to decay to the level of background radiation; during this time, men need to refrain from getting close to pregnant women and small children. Also, there is a low risk of rectal irritation in the short and long run. Infrequently, the need to urinate frequently can persist. Incontinence and impotence are relatively rare. The risk of a channel forming between the urinary tract and the rectum, also known as a rectal fistula, can cause urine to leak through the rectum. This complication is rare, fortunately, and can be repaired surgically.

· Cryosurgery involves freezing the prostate tissue with liquid nitrogen. Via the guidance of an ultrasound probe inserted in the rectum, needles are guided into the prostate, by piercing the skin between the scrotum and the anus. Short term side effects include blood in the urine for several days, soreness of the surgical area, swelling of the penis and scrotum, urinary burning, and frequency of urine and bowel movements. Late complications include nerve damage that can result in impotence and rarely, the formation of a fistula. Also, the long-term success rate is not well known.

· Hormone Therapy is also known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Prostate cancer thrives on testosterone. By depleting testosterone, prostate cancer cells die. ADT has never been demonstrated to be a curative modality, but it is useful in holding the disease at bay for some time. Its other role is in shrinking the prostate prior to surgery or radiation therapy. Side effects are those of “male menopause”, such as hot flashes, weight gain, decreased mental acuity and depression. Other potential adverse effects include osteoporosis, anemia, breast enlargement, fatigue, diminished good cholesterol and loss of muscle mass.

· Watchful waiting is a reasonable choice for men who have a short life expectancy, as well as for those men who have very slowly growing prostate cancer and will most likely not die from prostate cancer but rather, from some other more life threatening problem. The down side of watchful waiting is the psychological implication that the man’s mortality is looming ahead of him. Although no active treatment is given, men are still followed with digital rectal exams, PSA levels and possibly, transrectal ultrasounds of the prostate. However, with low risk prostate cancer in an elderly man, this might be a fine option.

Apparently the spectrum of treatment options is vast, and ranges from doing nothing to undergoing radical surgery. To make the best decision for himself, a man should know his treatment options based on his individual situation and lifestyle. Then, he will be empowered by knowledge as he embarks on his journey into the world of medical opinions. Finally, he should choose an experienced specialist to ultimately treat and follow him.

Learning the History of Prostate Cancer to Know Its Future

Prostate cancer was first described by anatomist Niccolo Massa in 1536 but was not officially identified until 1853. A the time, prostate cancer was considered a rare disease, due to the shorter life expectancies of the population and poor detection methods.

The first surgical treatment happened in the 1890s and was limited in its success. Removal of the actual prostate gland was first performed in 1904.

Treatments such as retropubic prostatectomy was developed in 1983 by Patrick Walsh. This surgical approach allowed for removal of the prostate and lymph nodes with maintenance of penile function.

In 1941 Charles Higgens published studies in which he used estrogen to oppose testosterone production in men with metastatic prostate cancer. This discovery of "chemical castration" won Huggins the 1966 Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Treatments such as retropubic prostatectomy was developed in 1983 by Patrick Walsh. This surgical approach allowed for removal of the prostate and lymph nodes with maintenance of penile function.

Radiation therapy for prostate cancer was first developed in the early 20th century and initially consisted of intraprostatic radium implants. External beam radiation became more popular as stronger radiation sources became available in the middle of the 20th century. Systemic chemotherapy for prostate cancer was first studied in the 1970s. Brachytherapy with implanted seeds was first described in 1983.

Research into different treatments and complementary treatments is ongoing and important even though as a type of cancer, prostate cancer is one of the easiest to treat, provided it is detected in its early stages. Screening procedures are also under research as there is no one main cause that has been found for prostate cancer.