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Drinking Alcohol During Radiation Treatment For Prostate Cancer

When To Call Your Healthcare Provider

Treating Prostate Cancer with Radiation Therapy – Dr Daniel Song
  • A fever of 101 °F or higher
  • Pain that doesnt get better with your medications
  • Any new symptom or physical change

If you have any questions or concerns, talk with a member of your radiation therapy team. You can reach them Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the numbers listed below.

Radiation oncologist: _____________________

How Do You Ensure That The Radiation Is Being Delivered To The Correct Area

The radiation oncology team performs daily image guidance for IMRT and other sophisticated treatments to confirm proper position before the patient receives his or her daily treatment. This is accomplished using multiple technologies such as kilovoltage cone beam CT, helical megavoltage CT, real-time tracking with implanted radiofrequency beacons, and optical tracking, depending upon the treatment site and treatment machine.

Drink The Nylytely Bowel Preparation

At 3:00 pm on the day before your procedure, start drinking the NuLYTELY. Drink 1 glass of the mixture every 15 minutes. Drink only half of the NuLYTELY solution . Throw out the other half. Then, keep drinking clear liquids.

The NuLYTELY will cause frequent bowel movements, so be sure to be near a bathroom when you start drinking it. To help prevent irritation, you can apply petroleum jelly or A& D® ointment to the skin around your anus after every bowel movement.

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Possible Side Effects Of Radiation Treatment

There are possible side effects associated with radiation therapy. Some people may not experience any side effects. Others may experience mild or bothersome side effects.

Some side effects may only last a short period of time, and others may last longer or forever. Side effects may occur at the time of treatment or could develop months after treatment.

Most side effects are manageable by your radiation team and last only a short time. Before starting treatment, your doctor will discuss possible side effects and their duration.

Because we use advanced targeting technology, the probability of side effects is lower.

Possible side effects include:

Bowel Issues Because radiation treatment is so close to the rectum, it could cause irritation. This irritation could cause soreness, blood in your stool, or rectal leakage. Most of the time these issues are temporary, but in rare cases, normal bowel function does not return. Because patients use a rectal balloon during each treatment, the likelihood of rectal issues is lower.

Urinary Issues Radiation can cause irritation to the bladder. This can cause urinary frequency, urgency and a burning sensation. If these problems occur, they generally go away after time.

Keeping your activity level up will result in less fatigue and feeling better.

Keeping your activity level up will result in less fatigue and you will feel better overall.

Irritation To Your Stomach

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If you have been experiencing nausea as a side effect from radiation therapy or chemotherapy, you should also know that alcohol causes a similar type of irritation to the lining of your stomach and gastrointestinal tract as those therapies do. This also includes patients who are experiencing oral mucositis or mouth sores. Drinking alcohol can worsen this side effect significantly.

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Who Will Help Me During My Imrt Treatments

Many people will help you with your IMRT treatment and care. This group of health care providers is often called your “radiation therapy team.” They work together to give you care that is just right for you. Your radiation therapy team includes a:

  • Radiation oncologist. This is a doctor who uses radiation therapy to treat patients with cancer. Your radiation oncologist:
  • Will decide how much radiation you will get for your prostate cancer treatment
  • Plans how your prostate cancer treatment will be given
  • Closely follows you during your prostate cancer treatment
  • And, directs any care you need to help with any side effects you may have during and after your prostate cancer treatment

The radiation oncologist will work with the other doctors, nurses, and health care providers on your team. After your treatment is over, your radiation oncologist will see you for follow-up visits. At these visits, your radiation oncologist will find out how well the radiation worked to treat your prostate cancer and will help you with any side effects that you may have.

  • You. You are also part of your radiation therapy team. Your role is to:
  • Be on time for all your IMRT appointments
  • Ask your doctor and health care team about any questions you have and to talk to them about your concerns
  • Let doctor and health care team know if you have any side effects
  • Tell your doctor or health care team if you have any pain and
  • What Should I Expect On My First Visit

    When radiation therapy might be of help, a family doctor, surgeon or medical oncologist will refer patients to a radiation oncologist.

    The doctor will first review your medical records and X-rays. A physical exam will be done.

    The doctors will then talk to you about his/her findings and decide how you should be treated. If radiation will help you, the staff will schedule the needed studies to develop a treatment plan. This is sometimes referred to as simulation.

    During simulation, the therapist takes X-rays of the part of your body to be treated to help decide how the radiation will be given. Using the X-ray as a guide to the treatment site, the therapist uses a marker to outline the treatment area on your skin. This area is often called a treatment port or treatment field. These marks are very important. They act as a map of the treatment area and the therapist uses them each day to guide your treatment. Sometimes after a few treatments, tiny permanent dots can be used to replace the painted marks on your skin.

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    What Can I Do To Take Care Of Myself During Imrt

    Each persons body responds to radiation therapy in its own way. That’s why your doctor must plan, and sometimes change, your treatment. During radiation therapy, you need to take special care of yourself to protect your health and to help your treatment succeed.

  • If you have any questions, ask your doctor or health care team.
  • Problems After High Intensity Focused Ultrasound

    Preparing for prostate radiotherapy treatment

    Youre more likely to get urinary problems after HIFU if youve already had other treatments for prostate cancer. Possible urinary problems include:

    • difficulty urinating
    • urine infections.

    Difficulty urinating

    HIFU usually causes the prostate to swell for a week or two, so youll have a catheter to drain urine from your bladder until the swelling has gone. HIFU can also cause the urethra to become narrow, making it difficult to empty your bladder .

    Leaking urine

    HIFU can cause some men to leak urine when they cough, sneeze or exercise . This may be more likely if youve already had radiotherapy. There are ways to manage leaking urine.

    Urine infections

    Some men get a urine infection after HIFU. If this happens, youll be given a course of antibiotics to clear the infection.

    Read more about urine infections in our fact sheet, Urinary problems after prostate cancer treatment.

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    Effect On Absorption Of Folate Or Other Nutrients

    Alcohol might affect the bodys ability to absorb some nutrients, such as folate. Folate is a vitamin that cells in the body need to stay healthy. Absorption of nutrients can be even worse in heavy drinkers, who often consume low levels of folate to begin with. Low folate levels may play a role in the risk of some cancers, such as breast and colorectal cancer.

    Follow A Clear Liquid Diet

    • You can have solid food for breakfast and lunch. Aim to finish your lunch by 2:00 pm.
    • After lunch, start the clear liquid diet.
    • A clear liquid diet includes only liquids you can see through. Examples are listed in the Clear Liquid Diet table.
    • Try to drink at least 1 glass of clear liquid every hour while youre awake.
    • Drink different types of clear liquids. Dont just drink water, coffee, and tea.
    • Dont drink more than 2 cups of liquids with caffeine.
    • Dont drink diet liquids, even if you have diabetes. If you do, you may feel weak or dizzy.
    Clear Liquid Diet
    • Alcoholic drinks

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    What Are The Types Of Radiation Therapy

    External radiation therapy
    External radiation therapy is given from a special machine . The patient never becomes radioactive.
    Internal radiation therapy
    Internal radiation therapy is when the source of radiation is placed inside the body near the cancer cells. The length of time the implant is in place depends upon the type of implant received.

    When Should I Call The Doctor

    Prostate cancer cure:

    You should call your doctor if you have:

    • A pain that doesn’t go away, especially if it’s always in the same place
    • New or unusual lumps, bumps, or swelling on your body
    • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
    • Unexplained weight loss
    • A fever or cough that doesn’t go away
    • Unusual rashes, bruises, or bleeding
    • Any symptoms that you are concerned about
    • Any other warning signs mentioned by your doctor or health care team

    If you have any of these signs talk to your doctor or health care team. There are medicines and treatments that can help you feel better. It is important that you talk to your doctor or health care team about any side effects you may have during or after your treatment. Your health care team can help treat these problems.

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    Alcohol And Chemotherapy Do They Mix

    Many of the drugs used to treat cancer are broken down by the liver. Alcohol is also processed via the liver and can cause liver inflammation. This inflammatory response could impair chemotherapy drug breakdown and increase side effects from treatment. Also, alcohol can irritate mouth sores or even make them worse. If you have mouth sores, you should avoid alcohol. It may also be a good idea to avoid alcohol if you are starting a treatment that will put you at risk for mouth sores, such as head and neck radiation or many types of chemotherapy drugs.

    When Can I Start Drinking After Ive Stopped Taking Anti

    Its important to keep taking your anti-androgen medications until your healthcare provider has told you its OK to stop them. Stopping these medications too early could affect how your prostate cancer is being treated. Never stop your medications in order to have a drink.

    If youve recently finished or will soon be finishing your complete course of anti-androgen medications, the answer to this question varies widely based on the medication youve been taking.

    For example, with flutamide, youd only have to wait about 2 days to ensure alcohol wouldnt be mixing with the medication. Bicalutamide, on the other hand, can take up to 42 days to completely leave the body. So youd have to wait several weeks to be sure there was no interaction.

    To get more accurate information, you should speak with your healthcare provider about when it might be safe for you to drink alcohol after finishing your anti-androgen treatment.

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    Are Side Effects The Same For Everyone

    The side effects of radiation treatment vary from patient to patient. You may have no side effects or only a few mild ones through your course of treatment. Some people do experience serious side effects, however. The side effects that you are likely to have depend primarily on the radiation dose and the part of your body that is treated. Your general health also can affect how your body reacts to radiation therapy and whether you have side effects. Before beginning your treatment, your doctor and nurse will discuss the side effects you might experience, how long they might last, and how serious they might be.

    Questions To Ask Your Health Care Team

    Receiving your prostate radiotherapy treatment

    Consider asking your health care team these questions about dry mouth.

    • Could my cancer treatment cause dry mouth? If so, when could dry mouth start?

    • Is there a way prevent dry mouth?

    • Should I see a dentist before my cancer treatment starts?

    • Who should I tell if I start experiencing dry mouth?

    • Are there rinses or medicines that can help relieve my dry mouth?

    • Are there other things I can do at home to help relieve my dry mouth?

    • What are the signs of a mouth infection that I should watch for?

    • What are signs that dry mouth is affecting my hydration or nutrition?

    • Should I keep track of my dry mouth? If so, how should I track my symptoms?

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    Prostate Cancer And Alcohol: What We Need To Know

    Categories:Cancer Risk,Cancer Screening,Prostate Cancer

    May 22, 2020

    It has been established by cancer researchers that alcohol is a risk factor for many types of cancers. What may not be that well known is the fact that alcohol is not a risk factor, maybe even be a risk reducer for other types cancers. So how does alcohol specifically affect prostate cancer? This blog is going to take a look at the relation between alcohol consumption and prostate cancer.

    How Are Side Effects On The Blood Managed

    In some cases, radiation therapy can cause low levels of white blood cells and platelets. These blood cells normally help your body fight infection and prevent bleeding. If large areas of active bone marrow are treated, your red blood cell count may be low as well. If your blood tests show these side effects, your doctor may wait until your blood counts increase to continue treatments. Your doctor may check your blood counts regularly and change your treatment schedule if it is necessary.

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    Prepare Your Nulytely Bowel Preparation Solution

    On the morning of the day before your procedure, add lukewarm water to the NuLYTELY, filling it to the top of the line on the bottle. Add a flavor pack, if you choose. Use only a flavor pack that was provided with your NuLYTELY.

    With the cap on, shake the NuLYTELY bottle until the powder is dissolved. The mixture will be clear, even if you used a flavor pack. If you prefer, you can place the bottle in the refrigerator to chill it. Many people have told us that NuLYTELY tastes better cold. Dont mix the NuLYTELY earlier than the morning before your procedure.

    Does The Type Of Alcohol Matter

    An introduction to radiotherapy: what is it, how does it ...

    Ethanol is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic drinks, whether they are beers, wines, liquors , or other drinks. Alcoholic drinks contain different percentages of ethanol, but in general, a standard size drink of any type 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor contains about the same amount of ethanol . Of course, larger or stronger drinks can contain more ethanol than this.

    Overall, the amount of alcohol someone drinks over time, not the type of alcoholic beverage, seems to be the most important factor in raising cancer risk. Most evidence suggests that it is the ethanol that increases the risk, not other things in the drink.

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    Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Or Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy

    Guided by advanced imaging techniques, SBRT delivers large doses of radiation over a short period of time to a precise area. SBRT is commonly referred to by the names of the machines used to deliver the radiation. SBRT can offer some patients with localized prostate cancer the convenience of fewer treatments while maintaining treatment effectiveness and safety. SBRT may also be used to treat metastases for some patients to reduce tumor mass and potentially enhance survival.

    About The Radioactive Seeds

    The radioactive seeds will be made of radioactive iodine or palladium and covered with titanium. Your radiation oncologist will tell you which is the best choice for you. Your healthcare provider will place 50 to 125 seeds in your prostate. How many they place depends on how big your prostate is.

    A radiation safety officer will give you a card to keep with you after your procedure. The card says youre getting radiation therapy and has the date when the radiation will be done. If you need to go to a hospital for any reason before the date on the card, tell the healthcare provider youve had radioactive seeds implanted.

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    Radiation For Prostate Cancer

    Radiation therapy may be a treatment option for certain men with prostate cancer.

    Aside from surgery to remove the prostate, it is the only way to eliminate prostate cancer. Urology San Antonios Reyna Cancer Center is an entire facility dedicated to radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Although we treat many types of cancers, we specialize in radiation for prostate cancer.

    Diarrhea Flatulence Or Painful Defecation

    The Biggest Problem with Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer and How To Beat It!

    These symptoms usually occur after the second or third week of treatment. Symptoms will resolve after the treatment ends. During radiation, dietary modification usually helps reduce the frequency and severity of diarrhea. Try to avoid or reduce fried foods, greasy foods and highly spiced foods. Reduce foods with insoluble fiber, such as lettuce and cauliflower, and increase low-fiber and soluable-fiber foods, such as bananas, mashed potatoes, applesauce, white rice, canned or cooked fruits and vegetables.

    Maintain your intake of lean proteins, such as turkey, chicken and fish, and increase your fluid intake to avoid dehydration. Using moist toilet paper, baby wipes or sitz baths may help relieve rectal irritation. Your doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal medications. Contact your doctor if you see blood in your stool, if the diarrhea worsens or if you become light-headed or dizzy.

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