External beam radiotherapy of the prostate

External beam radiotherapy of the prostate uses high energy radiation to kill cancer cells in the prostate. Treatment is administered by a radiotherapist in a specialist radiotherapy clinic or hospital radiotherapy department. Radiation is administered in small one-off doses over a prolonged period. This has been found to be more effective and to have fewer side effects. On average the complete course of treatment takes about 4 weeks and is administered as an outpatient procedure.

Side effects

• problems passing water leading to the development of an overactive bladder. In rare cases, patients can develop radiation cystitis, leading to repeated episodes of bleeding and a loss of bladder capacity
• problems passing faeces, causing bleeding and (very rarely) fistulas
• development of a second cancer in the bladder or rectum
• development of a second cancer in the bladder or rectum