Hormone therapy and radiotherapy for localised cancer

Hello JJ,

Your Dad has been put on a pretty typical treatment path for a man of his age. There are several ways of administering RT but he is most likely to have 20 fractions (sessions) of External Beam Radio Therapy (EBRT). Most men find it is the HT element that contributes most strongly to after effects with the RT introducing others or exacerbating the effects of HT. To some extent the side effects of HT will depend on what HT is taken but in any case some men experience side effects more severely and or widely than others. Typically, with HT, many men will feel premature tiredness, fatigue using their limbs, loss of libido. Some experience hot flushes and fewer still a change in personality. The added RT can affect bowel habits and increase need and frequency to urinate. As might be expected the treatment is better tolerated by younger men who are generally fitter. It would help Dad if he tries to maintain fitness. Most men tolerate the treatment quite well. So depending who responds, experiences may differ.

I recommend that you download or obtain a hard copy of 'The Tool Kit' which provides more information on treatment and side effects.
https://shop.prostatecanceruk.org//our-publications/all-publications/tool-kit?limit=100

Edited by member 01 Oct 2022 at 01:36  | Reason: To highlight link

I had 20 fractions of EBRT two years ago. The daily visits were a grind but I soon got into the routine and after that it all went very quickly. Some details will vary depending on the policy adopted by the radiology dept so your Dad's experience may differ from mine. In my case I was required to have just the right amount of fluid in my bladder for each session, and an empty rectum. For the bladder, they will advise your Dad of what they expect (some places want a completely empty bladder) and give him instructions for the routine to follow to achieve it - how much water to drink and when, when to go to the toilet before each appt etc. I think empty rectum is pretty much universal. It has to be as small as possible during treatment to avoid damage from the radiation beam. I was given a ton of laxatives and had to administer a micro-enema (a small plastic tube of liquid provided by the hospital) an hour before each session. It's not something anyone would choose as a hobby! That said, once in the routine,,,etc. They do an ultrasound scan before each EBRT session to check everything is in the desired state.

Regarding side effects from the EBRT. I've had some bowel trouble ever since, attributed to radiation damage, but it's gradually getting better. I also had a nasty bout of radiation cystitis last year but got it sorted and haven't had any trouble since. Bowel and bladder are basically the things that are usually effected. Please note that that these were my personal experiences only, that I give as an example. A great many men suffer no side effects whatsoever, and your Dad may well be one of them. In any case any effects he does happen to suffer are very, very unlikely to be life affecting but will most likely be like mine - just a bit annoying now and again! Best wishes to him and don't worry he will be in the hands of true professionals and they will take the best care of him.