Question 1

What are the side effects of radiation for prostate cancer?

Accepted Answer

Radiation intends to kill cancers but always accompanying its collateral injury to all the tissues projected through. As a result, nature or features of all injured tissues may ensue leading to less ability to function and self-repair.  Hence, urinary and/or fecal frequency, bleeding from rectum or bladder, etc. may develop. At times, feeling some tiredness may also happen to few. Generally, rare.

Question 2

Does radiation for prostate cancer stop semen production?

Accepted Answer

Most of the fluid when a man ejaculates comes from the prostate and only about 5% is actually sperm. Radiation of the prostate kills the cancer cells and also normal prostate glandular cells which cause the amount of fluid the prostate produces to be reduced to almost zero.

Question 3

Could radiation for prostate cancer cause rectal bleeding?

Accepted Answer

One of the potential side effects for radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer is rectal bleeding.  This can occur after brachytherapy or external beam therapy.  This is called proctitis and is generally mild and self-limiting.  It usually does not require any treatment other than conservative management such as maintaining soft bowel movements, hydration, and monitoring of blood work.

Question 4

Psa was, 74 6 months ago  now.84.  is that something to worry abt. considering i had radiation for prostate cancer almost 5 years ago.

Accepted Answer

It looks like you had a decimal point before the numbers, so i'm assuming that both of these values are less than one.  Depending on what the psa values have been up until now, hopefully trending downwards and not up, a .1 or less variation can b normal due to a variety of factors.  If u or your md are concerned u could check again in 3 months as a short interval. Likely nothing to worry about.

Question 5

Ive had external radiation for prostate cancer. my ejaculation is only drops most of the time, mainly clear liquid. how can i improve this?

Accepted Answer

Your reported change in semen features is entirely expected because external beam radiation damages all the prostate, ejaculatory ducts and even seminal vesicles, resulting in shrinking all affected tissues leading to almost no more semen. So, you've to accept this fact as the price of radiotherapy. More? Ask Doc. But at least, you still luckily retained the feeling of orgasm. Best wishes...

Question 6

What is the advantage of internal brachytherapy vs external radiation for prostate cancer? seems as if everyone would prefer the external route.

Accepted Answer

Good question and there will be a many opinions.  Well performed brachytheraphy places the radiation dose inside the prostate emitting it's dose outward to just beyond the edge of prostatic tissue. In low gleason score low volume disease this should be as effective as surgical removal. Need to assess voiding ability before the procedure. With ebrt surrounding tissues receive more radiation.

Question 7

Does focal radiation for prostate cancer weaken the immune system?

Accepted Answer

I'm not sure what you mean by focal (brachytherapy?) but with either external beam radiation or brachytherapy men do not routinely have their blood checked to follow their blood counts during treatment because the risk of having them decreased during radiation treatment is so low.

Question 8

I need external beam radiation for prostate cancer, will it have any bad effects on the rest of me?

Accepted Answer

I can only tell you what i see as a gastroenterologist. Radiation can cause inflammatory changes in the lining of the rectum called radiation proctitis. It can be treated by a gastroenterologist with argon gas therapy if it occurs. Good luck.

Question 9

I need external beam radiation for prostate cancer will it cause fatigue?

Accepted Answer

Yes; but it is fairly mild.  Most patients can continue their normal activities, including most jobs, except heavy manual labor.  You may feel like taking a nap, or getting more sleep at night than you are used to.  This gradually resolves by about 2-3 wks after radiation.

Question 10

I had internal radiation for prostate cancer three years ago. since the day i had the first of two surgeries i  had pain in both hips.  all the doctor?

Accepted Answer

Doctor? Yes, although if there were any serious problems they would certainly have declared themselves by now. If you are asking if the pain you have is a result of the procedure, that's impossible to know and unprofessional to comment upon. You need to have your pain evaluated and given a diagnosis so you can have your pain treated. There is no reason for you to suffer pain for so long. Be well.

Does radiation for prostate cancer make you more sensitive to the sun

What are the side effects of radiation for prostate cancer?

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Does radiation for prostate cancer stop semen production?

Could radiation for prostate cancer cause rectal bleeding?

Psa was, 74 6 months ago now.84. is that something to worry abt. considering i had radiation for prostate cancer almost 5 years ago.

Ive had external radiation for prostate cancer. my ejaculation is only drops most of the time, mainly clear liquid. how can i improve this?

What is the advantage of internal brachytherapy vs external radiation for prostate cancer? seems as if everyone would prefer the external route.

Does focal radiation for prostate cancer weaken the immune system?

I need external beam radiation for prostate cancer, will it have any bad effects on the rest of me?

I need external beam radiation for prostate cancer will it cause fatigue?

I had internal radiation for prostate cancer three years ago. since the day i had the first of two surgeries i had pain in both hips. all the doctor?

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