Radiation for metastatic prostate cancer: what to know

External radiotherapy can focus on a bone deposit, the prostate or another area causing symptoms. Targeted radioisotope therapy uses a medicine that travels in the body and attaches to cancer cells with the required features. Brachytherapy is an internal approach and is considered only in selected treatment plans.

Radiation is often one part of care, alongside hormone treatment or other medicines. It may help control a specific site without treating every cancer cell. Effects vary with the body area and can include tiredness, skin changes, urinary or bowel symptoms, and temporary worsening of pain.

Tell the team about pain, weakness, numbness, difficulty passing urine, bowel changes and previous radiation. Bring a complete medicine list, especially bone treatments and blood thinners. Ask whether the aim is symptom relief, protection of a vulnerable area, control of the prostate or treatment throughout the body.

Your scans and blood tests help identify suitable targets and check how your body is coping. Ask how movement, work, driving and support at home may be affected during treatment.

Contact your team promptly for new or worsening bone pain, difficulty passing urine, fever, severe vomiting or unusual weakness. Seek emergency help for sudden leg weakness, numbness around the groin, loss of bladder or bowel control, or severe back pain, as these can indicate pressure on the spinal nerves.

Which site is being treated and what is the goal? Would external radiotherapy or targeted radioisotope therapy be more suitable? How will radiation fit with hormone treatment and bone-strengthening therapy? What symptoms need same-day advice? How will scans and blood tests measure the response?