Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. You can get it in one of two ways:
Newer forms of this technique use tiny particles called protons instead of X-rays. Proton therapy better targets prostate tissue in hopes of causing less damage to other parts.
External beam radiation therapy focuses X-rays on your prostate from a machine outside your body.
Brachytherapy uses small pellets which slowly give off low levels of radiation inside your prostate for a few weeks or months. Doctors will give you medicine to put you to sleep or make your body numb, then put the pellets in through thin needles. You may have to stay away from pregnant women and children during this treatment. Doctors can also give the radiation through small tubes that they place in your prostate for a few minutes at a time.