When is radiotherapy recommended for prostate cancer?

Doctors consider the tumour's grade and extent, PSA pattern, prostate symptoms, scan findings, age, other illnesses, and personal priorities. External-beam radiotherapy or an internal treatment may be offered for cancer confined to the prostate or nearby tissues. Hormone treatment can be used with radiotherapy for some risk groups. After surgery, radiotherapy may be discussed when PSA remains detectable or begins to rise. Focused treatment can also ease pain from a treated area when cancer has spread.

Common concerns include urinary frequency, bowel changes, tiredness, and sexual-function changes. Some effects occur during treatment and others may appear later, so the team will explain monitoring and support.

Ask how each option affects urination, bowel control, erections, fertility, and daily routines. Share medicines, previous procedures, bowel or urinary conditions, and plans for family life. You may need planning scans and instructions about bladder or bowel preparation. Keep PSA appointments because the result is interpreted alongside symptoms and examination findings.

Contact the team promptly for inability to pass urine, worsening blood in urine or stool, fever, severe diarrhoea, or dehydration. Seek emergency help for heavy bleeding, severe pain, fainting, confusion, or sudden weakness.

Ask whether radiotherapy is intended to cure, reduce recurrence risk, or relieve a symptom, and whether hormone treatment is included. Discuss the target, schedule, PSA follow-up, urinary and bowel support, sexual health, and when to report side effects.