I’ve accumulated these questions over my time on this forum —> Questions to ask regarding prostate cancer external radiation treatments

You will want to weigh the risks, benefits, preferences, and outcomes of various treatment options; these can help guide your decision and help you start an open and candid conversation with your oncologist.

> What are the different external radiation treatment options (IMRT, SBRT, Proton) for my condition?
> Which kinds of external radiation therapy would treat my cancer best (IMRT, SBRT, or Proton)?
> Which are available at this facility?
> How many have you done?
> What are the procedures (When/Where/How) for each type of radiation treatment?
> What are the expected side and after-effects and risk factors with (the specific form of) radiation treatment?
> Will I require hormone therapy (Eligard, Lupron, Orgovyx) as part of my treatments?
> What side-effects should I expect from the hormone therapy?
> Is there a way to minimize the side-effects from the hormone therapy?
> What are the chances that I will suffer from complications during or after treatment (from either the radiation or the hormone therapy)?
> What are the chances that I will have GU, GI, ED, incontinence, bowel, rectal, problems during or shortly after, treatment?
> Should I be worried about side effects years after treatment has ended?
> What advanced technologies do you offer at this facility that can help reduce the risk of side effects?
> For (the specific form of) radiation, will I use a rectal spacer? If so, what type (SpaceOAR, Barrigel, or BioProtect)?
> Is there a chance the cancer will come back after treatment?
> What will the preparation for each treatment look like?
> What will the duration of each treatment be?
> Can you describe the entire treatment plan?
> Will there be an impact on my daily routine?
> Will I be able to continue to work?
> What activities will I still be able to do?
> What activities are not recommended during each type of treatment?
> How soon must a decision on treatment be reached?
> Is there anything that I didn’t ask that I should know?

Hope that helps!
============