Cancerbackup: Radiotherapy

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Q&As on this topic

1. My husband has been told he has to have radiotherapy to his breasts before starting a new drug for his prostate cancer. Is this usual and what will it do?

last reviewed: 27.06.2007

2. Is conformal radiotherapy better than standard external beam radiotherapy for early prostate cancer?

last reviewed: 18.07.2007

3. I have early prostate cancer and I have been told I should have radiotherapy. This is going to be given from the outside. One of my neighbours, who is the same age as me, has the same condition but is having radioactive seeds. What is the difference and which should I ask for?

last reviewed: 02.08.2005

4. I am getting pain from prostate cancer which has spread to my spine. My doctor is arranging radiotherapy but a friend has told me there is a new treatment called strontium. Is this better?

last reviewed: 02.08.2005

5. I am 65 years old and have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. My doctor says it is localised and has offered me radiotherapy treatment. This will be external beam treatment using conformal therapy. I have read there is also something called intensity modulated radiotherapy. What is this and is it better?

last reviewed: 02.08.2005

6. I am just recovering from a radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. My surgeon has said something about 'margins not being clear' and the possible need for some 'mopping up radiotherapy'. Can you explain what he might be talking about?

last reviewed: 02.08.2005

7. I have prostate cancer and am going to have radical radiotherapy. My specialist has suggested several months of 'hormone' treatment during and after the radiotherapy. Why is this?

last reviewed: 02.08.2005

8. I have prostate cancer and am about to start taking hormone tablets called Casodex®. I have been told that this can cause men to grow breasts. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

last reviewed: 08.06.2007

9. I am going to have radiotherapy to my pelvis. The doctor has told me this could cause cystitis. I've heard that drinking cranberry juice might help. Is this true?

last reviewed: 03.04.2006

10. I am taking hormone tablets (Casodex®) for prostate cancer. Over the last few months my breasts have started to get bigger and are painful at times. Are there any treatments I can have for this?

last reviewed: 17.05.2007

All Q&As are selected from some of the thousands asked by people contacting Cancerbackup every year. They are answered by specialists and reviewed and updated regularly.


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