YOUR
TREATMENT
OPTIONS
PROSTATE CANCER OVERVIEW
PROSTATE CANCER OVERVIEW
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut, found only in men. Its function is to produce the fluid contained in semen to nourish and protect the sperm.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the prostate gland begin to grow out of control. Almost all prostate cancers develop from glandular cells. The gland cells make the fluid that is added to the semen.
INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS1
INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS1
Age - prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men
- About 6 in 10 cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is rare before 40
- The average age at the time of diagnosis is 67
Ethnicity - prostate cancer is more likely to develop in non-Hispanic Black men, in men with African ancestry, and less likely in Asian and Hispanic/Latin men
Family History - having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man's risk of developing it. However, most prostate cancers occur in men without a family
PROSTATE CANCER STATISTICS FOR MEN IN THE UNITED STATES1
PROSTATE CANCER STATISTICS FOR MEN IN THE UNITED STATES1
Prostate Cancer Prevalence1
Other than skin cancer. prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States. As of 2025, the American Cancer Society estimates:
- approximately 300,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the U.S.
- 1 in 8 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
WHAT IS RADIATION THERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER?
WHAT IS RADIATION THERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER?
Radiation therapy is a standard form of treatment that uses energy beams to destroy cancer cells and stop them from spreading. Radiation for cancer works by making small breaks in the DNA inside cells. These breaks keep cancer cells from growing and dividing and cause them to die. Nearby normal cells can also be affected by radiation, but most recover and go back to working the way they should.2
There are two main types of radiation therapy, External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) and Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy).
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)3
EBRT directs high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, by a machine from outside the body.
Advancements in EBRT techniques focus the radiation more precisely on the tumor, allowing doctors to give higher doses of radiation while reducing exposure to nearby healthy tissue.
The goal of EBRT is to kill the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue as much as possible.
Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy)
Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy where the radioactive source is placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment. There are two methods of brachytherapy - low dose rate and high dose rate.
Low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy3
- Radiation deposited over several weeks to months
- Radioactive seeds are placed in the prostate gland permanently
- Slow release of radiation over several weeks to months
High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy3
- Temporary
- Catheters placed in the prostate gland just before radiation is delivered, allowing the radiation source to travel temporarily into the prostate gland
- Catheters are removed after the last treatment
- May involve several sessions
Brachytherapy combined with EBRT can be an option for men with higher risk of the cancer
spreading outside of the prostate.3
POSSIBLE RADIATION SIDE EFFECTS
POSSIBLE RADIATION SIDE EFFECTS
Radiation beams can potentially affect healthy tissue near the prostate and result in side effects. It is important to consult with your doctor about all potential side effects you may experience.3**
To reduce rectal side effects associated with prostate cancer radiation treatment, Barrigel™
rectal spacer may be inserted prior to treatment to significantly reduce radiation dose to the
rectum.4
For more information about prostate cancer, treatment options, and possible side effects, visit
the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
References
- 1. American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. www.cancer.org. Accessed: July 15, 2025. www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer.html
2. American Cancer Society. What is radiation therapy? www.cancer.org. Accessed: July 15, 2025. www.cancer.org/cancer/manaqinq-cancer/treatment-types/radiation.html
3. American Cancer Society. Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer. www.cancer.org. Accessed: July 15, 2025. www.cancer.org/cancer/types/orostate-cancer/treating/radiation-therapy.html
4. Mariados NF, Orio PF Ill, King MT et al. JAMA Oneal (2023).*
*Study sponsored by Palette Life Sciences, now part of Teleflex
**Ask your doctor for a complete list of potential temporary and long-term side effects from radiation therapy and what to expect during and after treatment.
