Table of Contents

Chapter 2: Initial Treatment: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Each Option

ii. The Importance of Dose Planning

Just as surgical skill can play an important role in determining outcomes from prostatectomy, technical skill and manual dexterity can play an important role in determining outcomes from radiation therapy.Because the prostate cancer is surrounded so closely by other internal organs, a decision to use an x-ray beam even a millimeter or two to one side or another can result in damage to healthy tissue. The use of computer software to assist with the dose planning and target prostate tissue helps greatly, but, in the end, the skill and experience of the radiation oncologist will make the biggest difference. At a minimum, you should look for a radiation oncologist who has broad experience with an assortment of approaches and who can objectively help you decide which approach might be right for you.