In the case of advanced prostate cancer, some men will be offered radiotherapy to the prostate and sometimes secondarily to the bones if the cancer has spread to them.
If radiotherapy to the prostate is given, it will be given alongside hormone treatment, or hormone treatment given first in order to shrink the prostate to assist in the effectiveness of the radiotherapy. The aim is to use the radiotherapy to kill the cancer cells, following the shrinking of the tumour.
With advanced cancer, your doctor may prescribe hormone therapy for a considerable period after the radiotherapy (usually 2 years). Radiotherapy can have a number of side effects such as leakage of urine (incontinence), some problems with the bowels (diarrhoea/constipation /bleeding) and problems with erections/impotence.
Radiotherapy may also be used as a means to treat pain in men with advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bones. Whilst it takes some time to be effective, it has been shown to relieve these symptoms. In some cases, a radioactive liquid may be injected rather than radio waves used. This can last for a number of months but takes time for it to become effective.
For further information about radiotherapy, see treatment for early disease.
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