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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffExternal beam radiation for prostate cancer uses high-powered beams of energy, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. During external beam radiation for prostate cancer, the high-energy beams come from a machine called a linear accelerator that aims the beams at your prostate gland.
External beam radiation for prostate cancer kills cancer cells by destroying the genetic material that controls how cells grow and divide. Healthy cells in the beam's path are also damaged by external beam radiation therapy. The goal of external beam radiation for prostate cancer is to destroy the cancerous cells while sparing as many healthy cells as possible.
External beam radiation for prostate cancer is often used to treat early-stage prostate cancer. It may also be used for men who have advanced prostate cancer or prostate cancer that comes back after surgery.
- Treating prostate cancer. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?pageaction=displayproduct&productID=98. Accessed Dec. 8, 2010.
- Radiation therapy. Prostate Cancer Foundation. http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5813857/k.AACD/Radiation_Therapy.htm. Accessed Dec. 8, 2010.
- Early prostate cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/early-prostate. Accessed Dec. 8, 2010.
- Stephans KL, et al. The current status of image-guided external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Current Opinion in Urology. 2010;20:223.
- Klein EA. Overview of treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2011.
- Radiation therapy. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ProstateCancer/DetailedGuide/prostate-cancer-treating-radiation-therapy. Accessed Dec. 8, 2010.
- DiBiase SJ, et al. External beam radiation therapy for localized (clinical T1, T2) prostate cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2011.
- Speight JL, et al. Radiotherapy of urologic tumors. In: Tanagho EA, et al. Smith's General Urology. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3128836. Accessed Jan. 7, 2011.
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