Radiation therapy is an effective treatment that kills prostate cancer cells by using high energy rays or particles. 辐射可以通过几种方式传递, including brachytherapy (using seeds that are implanted in the patient’s body) and external beam radiation that projects the energy through the skin. Radiation therapy for prostate cancer is best delivered by experienced radiation oncologists who work in high volume centers of excellence.

放射治疗可以:

• Treat both early stage cancers of the prostate gland and more advanced cancers that may have spread beyond the prostate
• 可以单独使用，也可以与激素剥夺等其他疗法一起使用
• 治疗前列腺癌术后复发
• Treat men with limited spreading (oligometastatic) prostate cancer to reduce the tumor’s size and improve survival and quality of life
• 减缓癌症生长，降低骨折风险
• 用于缓解晚期癌症带来的疼痛

治疗前列腺癌的放射疗法类型

体外束放射治疗(EBRT)

这是最常见的放射疗法，而且无痛. 治疗前, your radiation team will use computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to map out the location of the prostate and tumor cells.

During each treatment session, X-ray beams are focused on the targeted cancer areas. Oncologists can change the intensity of doses and radiation beams to better deliver high doses of radiation to tumor cells while delivering lower doses to surrounding healthy tissues.

调强放射治疗(IMRT)

这是外部光束辐射的一种复杂形式, 由线性加速器(LINACS)提供. Oncologists can change the intensity and shape of the radiation beams to better target radiation delivered to the prostate while limiting radiation to nearby bladder and rectal tissue. Because of the treatment planning involved with this type of radiation therapy, 医生可以做得更精确, intense and effective doses of radiation with less risk of damaging surrounding tissue.

质子束治疗

Proton therapy is an alternative form of EBRT that is being used more frequently now that there are more specially equipped centers that can offer it. The process has evolved from a passive scattering approach to scanning proton beam therapy.

质子治疗的主要好处是, 因为光束的物理性质, 光束在肿瘤边缘处停止, 防止可能影响附近地区的“退出剂量”, 前列腺目标部位以外的健康组织, 比如膀胱和直肠. Current evidence suggests that it is equally effective as other radiation techniques in eliminating prostate cancer.

立体定向全身放射治疗 (SBRT) or Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy (SABR)

由先进的成像技术指导, SBRT (or SABR) delivers large doses of radiation over a short period of time to a precise area. SBRT is commonly referred to by the names of the machines used to deliver the radiation. SBRT can offer some patients with localized prostate cancer the convenience of fewer treatments while maintaining treatment effectiveness and safety. SBRT may also be used to treat metastases for some patients to reduce tumor mass and potentially enhance survival.

影像引导放射治疗(IGRT)

IGRT是指利用日常影像学检查肿瘤靶的位置. 通常，这可能包括低剂量x射线(kV)或CT扫描(锥束CT)。. 对一些推荐十大正规网赌平台来说, gold or platinum fiducial markers may be placed in the prostate before treatment. These markers show up on imaging scans and help the radiation oncologist see the tumor’s position, 帮助推荐十大正规网赌平台为每天的治疗做准备.

近距离放射疗法

近距离放射疗法也被称为粒子植入, 间质放射治疗或内部放射治疗. For permanent (low dose rate) brachytherapy, tiny radioactive seeds (about 0.8毫米厚和4.5 millimeters long) are inserted into the prostate using needles that enter the skin just behind the scrotum.

The seeds give off radiation to destroy the cancer cells immediately around them for several months, 直到放射性消失. 种子外壳由钛制成，可以安全地留在体内. 超声波, CT scans and MRI scans can be used to ensure that the seeds are placed in the proper locations.

对一些推荐十大正规网赌平台来说, temporary (high dose rate) brachytherapy is used to administer higher doses of radiation through catheters placed in the prostate for a short time. The term “high dose rate” refers to the time over which the radiation is delivered, 而不是放射量.

镭- 223治疗

镭- 223, 放射性物质, is used to treat men with metastatic prostate cancer that no longer responds to 激素疗法. 因为它模仿钙, the radium is selectively absorbed into areas where prostate cancer is invading bone. This revolutionary treatment has been shown to improve the survival of men with metastatic prostate cancer that has spread to the bones, 并延缓骨骼的问题，如疼痛或骨折.

放射治疗的副作用

与早期的辐射方法相比, 这些现代技术减少了泌尿和肠道问题的机会.

有几种治疗选择, your doctor will work with you to develop and oversee a treatment plan that precisely addresses your prostate cancer while minimizing the risk to surrounding tissues.

This is why it is important to choose an experienced radiation oncologist who specializes in the management of prostate cancer. High volume centers where practitioners have significant experience and treat large numbers of patients with prostate cancer may be associated with good outcomes and fewer lasting problems related to treatment. The majority of patients who undergo radiation do not have permanent effects on bowel or urinary function, and patients who develop erectile difficulty after these therapies can often be treated successfully with medications such as sildenafil or tadalafil.