Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Treatment options vary based on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health, but one common treatment for localized prostate cancer is surgery to remove the prostate (radical prostatectomy).
Even after a successful surgery, some cancer cells may remain. Radiation therapy can be used to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. Doctors may use adjuvant radiation therapy, which means radiation when there’s a high risk of recurrence even if tests don’t detect cancer. Or they may use salvage radiation therapy if tests indicate that the cancer has returned.
Many factors go into deciding how many radiation treatments are needed for prostate cancer after surgery. In this article, we’ll explore some of those considerations.