Radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To review the advances in radiation therapy for prostate cancer and the nursing care of patients with prostate cancer.


METHODS
Peer-reviewed journal articles, including research studies and review articles.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation therapy is used to cure early stage prostate cancer, control locally advanced disease, and effectively palliate symptoms of metastasis. The three forms of treatment used include external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy; and radiopharmaceutical treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing care of patients receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer includes managing the symptoms associated with the disease and treatment, educating patients and families about self-care measures, and providing support throughout the course of the disease.
Iwamoto
R R
RR
Department of Radiation Oncology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
Maher
K E
KE
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000528:radiation effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals