Your team of doctors, including a radiation oncologist, urologist and medical oncologist, will discuss treatment options and recommendations with you.
UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider. Good nutrition may reduce the incidence of prostate cancer and help reduce the risk of prostate cancer progression.
Learn more here. Understanding prostate cancer and making treatment decisions can be difficult. We hope these guidelines will help you in the course of treatment you choose. Use this Prostate Cancer Glossary to help you understand some of the more esoteric terminology including, adjuvant, brachytherapy, seminal vesicles and more.
Robotic radical prostatectomy. Patient Education. Related Conditions. Prostate Cancer. Why would I choose radiation therapy? How should I expect to feel during radiation therapy?
How should I expect to feel after radiation therapy? What can I do about side effects? What special issues should I be aware of? How often will I need to see my doctor for follow-up? How will I know if the treatment is working? Will I need additional treatment? Most patients will experience some or all of the following: Increase in the frequency of urination Urinary urgency Weak urinary stream Difficulty starting urination Burning or tingling with urination Occasional diarrhea Softer and smaller volume bowel movements Increased frequency of bowel movements Worsening of hemorrhoids or rectal irritation with occasional scant blood and fatigue Depending on the severity of these side effects, you may be prescribed medications such as anti-diarrheal medication Immodium AD or Lomotil or a medication to decrease the frequency of urination Flomax or Uroxatral for symptom relief.
Brachytherapy Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy where a radioactive source is placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment. After brachytherapy, patients may experience the following symptoms: Burning with urination Increased frequency of urination Slow or weak urinary stream Incomplete emptying of the bladder Brief period of blood in the urine, usually immediately after the procedure Perineal pain or soreness Scrotal bruising or swelling Blood spotting from the perineum Nausea from anesthesia Fatigue Most patients continue with normal daily activities shortly after brachytherapy, although heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity should be limited for two to three days after the implant.
Some patients may experience rectal discomfort after the procedure. Rectal bleeding is uncommon. Fatigue Fatigue may occur later in radiation therapy treatment. Diarrhea, Flatulence or Painful Defecation These symptoms usually occur after the second or third week of treatment.
Swelling, Bruising or Tenderness of the Scrotum Symptoms generally resolve on their own within three to five days. Skin Irritation This is uncommon, but if it occurs, do not rub or scratch the area. Before you go home, you will be given detailed written instructions about the following issues. Radiation Safety There is no remaining radiation in your body once your treatment is complete and it is completely safe to be around other people.
Sexual Function Many men experience a decline in erectile function erectile dysfunction or impotence after radiation therapy. Sperm Production Sperm are produced in germinal cells in the testicles. Testosterone Production Testosterone is secreted by the Leydig cells in the testicles.
Related clinics. M-F, 8 a. Recommended reading. Nutrition and Prostate Cancer Good nutrition may reduce the incidence of prostate cancer and help reduce the risk of prostate cancer progression. Patient's Guide to Prostate Cancer Understanding prostate cancer and making treatment decisions can be difficult.
Men who have a PSA level that doubles within a 3-month period tend to have a worse prognosis outlook compared to men whose PSA level does not double. This is also known as PSA doubling time. The remaining normal prostate cells will still make some PSA. The pattern of the drop in PSA after radiation therapy is also different from after surgery. PSA levels after radiation tend to drop slowly, and might not reach their lowest level until 2 years or more after treatment.
Doctors tend to follow the PSA levels every few months to look for trends. A one-time, small rise in PSA might cause closer monitoring, but it might not mean that the cancer is still there or has returned , as PSA levels can fluctuate slightly from time to time.
However, a PSA that is rising on consecutive tests after treatment might indicate that cancer is still there. There is also a phenomenon called a PSA bounce that sometimes happens after external beam radiation and brachytherapy. A temporary rise in prostate-specific antigen PSA scores after radiotherapy may have an association with outcomes in patients with prostate cancer, according to the study findings presented by Naghavi et al in the International Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Experiencing a PSA bounce was associated with improved biochemical disease-free survival. PSA bounces are often seen after patients receive radiotherapy and are indicated by a temporary rise in the PSA level by at least 0. Although clinicians are familiar with these occurrences, there is still uncertainty regarding whether these rises in PSA levels in patients with prostate cancer are of any benefit in continued management. There is great interest among researchers on whether PSA bounces are predictors of recurrent cancer or cancer in remission.
However, there is overlap in individual values, and because patients with negative biopsies after RT may have subclinical distant disease, more follow-up is necessary before percent free PSA can be incorporated into a definition of biochemical disease-free status.
Abstract Objectives: The range of "normal" prostate-specific antigen PSA values compatible with cure following radiotherapy RT for prostate cancer PCa has yet to be established.
Substances Prostate-Specific Antigen.
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