What are the risks of conventional irradiation?
Conventional radiation therapy is associated with multiple complications. In addition to the tumor, healthy tissues and organs in its vicinity are also exposed to radiation. Conventional radiotherapy uses photons to deliver radiation to the tumor. Due to their physical nature, photons are unable to stop in the tumor. They reach the rectum and the urinary bladder and cause complications, depending on the dose delivered, such as impotence, incontinence and rectal bleeding.
Up to 40% of men exposed to conventional (photon) irradiation have problems with impotence
In terms of the psychological state of the patients, permanent impotence resulting from surgical treatment is a major complication. A huge percentage of patients are still at an active age, when the quality of life plays an important role, and sexual activity is definitively an essential part of the quality of life.
Up to 5% of men exposed to conventional (photon) irradiation will suffer from (long-term) incontinence
This condition after treatment is a significant complication for reintegration into active life, whether it is a return to work or social life. The very fact that every year unwanted urine leakage occurs in more than one hundred males exposed to radiation therapy in the Czech Republic is a social and hygiene problem.
Up to 30% of men after conventional (photon) irradiation complain about pain
and severe burning during urination, weak urinary stream, frequent urge to defecate, or even diarrhea and abdominal pain. This is caused by the photon radiation dose delivered to the organs of the abdominal cavity and rectum.
Up to 8% of men have disease recurrence years after conventional (photon) irradiation
Cancer recurrence (relapse) is a major problem, and subsequently it is necessary to proceed to other treatment modalities (hormone therapy, conventional irradiation). This is again associated with risks and complications.
Conventional treatment with photons lasts up to 41 days and is often accompanied by fatigue and nausea.
On the contrary, proton therapy lasts only 5 days at an early stage and 21 days at an advanced stage. Moreover, proton therapy is administered on an outpatient basis.
Treatment selection always has a major impact on the quality of life during treatment and thereafter.
A great percentage of patients are still at an active age, and therefore complications and lifelong consequences caused by conventional treatment have a major impact on the psyche of a man.
Think carefully! An option is available to avoid the risks and complications. Select proton therapy.
