The ten most common consequences after prostate radiation therapy

Cancer today is considered one of the most serious diseases that can lead to death. It is difficult to recognize them on their own in time, and they are difficult to cure in the last stages of the disease. The article will focus on such treatment as radiation therapy for Prostate cancer, and what the consequences are.

The prostate gland is an organ that is located under the bladder and secretes a special substance-secret that is part of the sperm. Prostate cancer is a serious threat to male sexual function. In scientific language, the disease is called carcinoma (a type of malignant tumor). And according to statistics, every seventh man develops.

Most often, the disease occurs in men over 40 years old due to hormonal changes in the body, and has a genetic predisposition. Men who lead a sedentary lifestyle, have bad habits and eat animal fats are also at risk.

All symptoms of this disease are grouped into 3 groups

There are 4 degrees:

• At stage I, cancer cells are almost indistinguishable from healthy ones.
• At stage II, the patient's irradiation procedure is effective and harmless.
• At stage III, a malignant tumor extends beyond the gland, affecting adjacent tissues.
• In stage IV, the infected cells move to the lymph nodes and organs.

At each stage of the disease, radiation therapy for prostate cancer has different effectiveness

• in the early stages, surgical intervention is used, it allows you to preserve in the body a significant part of healthy cells that are not affected by the disease.
• the next stage is radiotherapy, which destroys the affected areas remaining in the irradiated body.
• in the last stages of the disease, radiation relieves pain.

Radiation therapy is targeted ionizing radiation that attacks and destroys cancer cells. The advantage of this therapy is that the rays to a lesser extent affect the nearest healthy cells of tissues and organs.

An indicator of monitoring the progress and development of cancer cells is a blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA), which should tend to zero in terms of recovery. Unfortunately, most patients do not find time to visit a urologist and take a blood test. They usually find cancer the moment they already have symptoms. And if there are symptoms, then the disease has spread to the tumor extends beyond the prostate gland.

There are the following types of radiation for prostate carcinoma, their treatment depends on the degree of the disease:

They can be both positive and negative:

The positive ones include:

• inhibition of the development of a malignant tumor, pathogenic cells die, and the remaining ones do not multiply.
• there is overgrowth of blood vessels that deliver nutrients to cancer cells.
• in certain forms of the disease, radiation for prostate cancer has a more gentle effect and an effective result of treatment.

Negative indicators include

• the sensitivity of the intestines and circulatory system from the received radiotherapy.
• a large number of side effects that have a lasting effect: impotence, urinary problems, unstable bowel movements.
• there is no guarantee that the disease will not relapse.
• in rare cases, colon cancer may develop.

Let's take a closer look at all the side effects:

To minimize the consequences and complications after radiotherapy, experts recommend

• After each course of radiation exposure, rest for more than three hours.
• Observe a proper balanced diet and refuse unhealthy foods.
• Increase the amount of drinking (up to 3 liters of fluid per day).
• Constant breathing exercises.
• Treat the external radiation area with sunscreen to reduce the radiation dose.
• Maintain hygiene.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking.
• In case of severe side effects, it is better to withstand two or three weeks between courses of therapy.
• Objects over four kilograms must not be lifted.
• Be seated for more than two hours.
• Make sure that the bowels and bladder are not full.

After radiation therapy of the prostate gland, you should not forget to visit a doctor and take the necessary tests. And pay attention to the slightest deterioration in health.