What To Expect From Radiation Therapy & How To Manage Side Effects

Radiation techniques used for advanced prostate cancer include external beam radiation (EBRT) and stereotactic body radiation (SBRT), which is used to treat a small number of metastases in patients with oligometastatic disease (which means the disease has only spread to a few select areas).

Radioligand therapy is another radiation technique that combines a radioactive particle with a molecule that specifically seeks out cancer cells. In prostate cancer, these therapies often target PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen), a protein commonly found on prostate cancer cells, especially in advanced disease.

Modern Radiation: Precision Over Panic

Thanks to innovations like SBRT, which delivers high-dose radiation with pinpoint accuracy, today’s treatments are more targeted than ever. This precision minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Common side effects are typically localized and manageable. They might include:

• Fatigue (usually temporary)
• Skin irritation near the treatment site
• Mild bowel or bladder symptoms (if the pelvis is treated)
• Bone marrow suppression (rare, and only if large areas are irradiated)

“Radiation therapy is really one of the original modalities for cancer treatment,” Dr. Chen adds. “With the right guidance, it can be delivered safely and effectively — even for advanced prostate cancer.”

Understanding Side Effects: What To Expect

Dr. Chen breaks down radiation side effects into two categories: short-term and long-term.

Short-term effects are typically related to urinary function.

“Increased frequency and urgency due to an inflammatory reaction,” he explains, are common during treatment.

Long-term effects, while less frequent, are often top of mind for patients.

“We can see urinary obstruction, cystitis — which is inflammation of the bladder that can cause bleeding — and probably the most common one would be inflammation of the rectum, which could manifest as rectal bleeding or discomfort,” Dr. Chen says.

Steps To Manage Side Effects

Radiation therapy isn’t just about what happens in the clinic — it’s also about what patients do at home. Dr. Chen emphasizes that daily habits play a critical role in minimizing side effects and improving outcomes.

“Things that a patient can control would be managing the bowel movements and managing the urinary bladder filling,” he says.

Here are Dr. Chen’s top strategies:

• Hydrate consistently — “Come up with a habit of drinking lots of water during treatment, arriving well hydrated and filling the bladder,” Dr. Chen advises.
• Maintain regular bowel movements — “Having a consistent bowel habit by having daily bowel movements and taking medication or having a high fiber diet usually helps,” he says.
• Stick to a routine — “Consistency is the key when it comes to a successful radiation treatment,” Dr. Chen emphasizes. “A lot of that can be modified by diet and having good management practices.”

Radiation therapy for advanced prostate cancer doesn’t have to be daunting. With modern technology, expert guidance, and proactive self-care, patients can navigate treatment with confidence.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Should we consider radiation as part of my treatment plan?
• Is there a potential benefit to targeting radiation to the prostate?
• What sort of side effects should I expect based on the planned treatment?
• What can I do to help mitigate the severity of treatment side effects?
• Is there anything I can do to help reduce the risk of side effects?

Content independently created by SurvivorNet with support from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

---