Radiotherapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer. It uses high doses of radiation to target and kill cancer cells. Perhaps you are about to undertake radiation therapy and would like a little inside track on what’s involved.
Not long ago I endured 38 radiotherapy sessions over an eight-week period. I’m not a doctor and have no medical expertise, but here’s my story.
Mapping my prostate to target the cancer
Before the therapy starts, the doctors needed to map my prostate to target the cancer accurately. This is achieved using a CT scanner. My bowels needed to be empty and my bladder full of water. A cannula was jabbed in my arm and dye filtered into my blood stream, which makes the prostate and lymph nodes highly visible. If all is well, the scan can take just a few minutes.
During a simulation session, I was positioned on a treatment table in the same way as during actual treatments. This helps ensure accurate delivery of radiation. Small markers, tattoo crosses, were inked on to my body. Two on my hips and one just below my navel. All to make sure that for each session I’m lying in the exact same position. Read on…
