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External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has been commonly used to treat many
kinds of cancer since the 1950s. The procedure directs radiation through the
body to destroy cancerous cells in the prostate.
EBRT may be used alone or in combination with seeding or Intensity Modulated
Radiation Therapy (IMRT). A newer form of radiotherapy, IMRT enables more
precise external beam radiotherapy treatment. Instead of having a single, large
radiation beam pass through the body, IMRT breaks it up into thousands of thin
beams, improving accuracy and minimizing harm to surrounding tissue. Because
EBRT has been in use longer, there are more long-term studies about its
effectiveness.
EBRT complications may include incontinence, impotence and rectal injury.6
In addition, side effects may include fatigue and diarrhea, as well as frequent
and painful urination. This approach consists of treatments five days per week
for six to eight weeks. While overnight hospitalization is not necessary,
therapy does require ongoing trips to the treatment facility.
TheraSeed® Treatment Advantages:
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A few hours in an outpatient setting versus five days per week for six to eight
weeks for EBRT treatment. |
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Long-term results of IMRT are not yet known. |
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