December 25, 2025 – Closed
January 1, 2026 – Closed
As of the afternoon of January 23, 2025, our phones are operational. Thank you for your patience as our phone provider experienced a national outage that impacted our phone services on the afternoon of January 22 and the morning of January 23.
The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in males that uses male hormones called androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), to trigger and maintain male sex characteristics and reproduction. Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control.
Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), about one man in nine will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
In many cases, prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer that does not spread beyond the prostate gland before the time of diagnosis. However, some cases are more aggressive and need more urgent treatment. Prostate cancer that is detected early, when it is still confined to the prostate gland, has the best chance for successful treatment.
Researchers have found several factors that might affect a man’s risk of getting prostate cancer, including:
Because these symptoms may overlap with those of other conditions, it is important to get the correct diagnosis to find the right treatment. To help determine the best option for you the American Cancer Society recommends prostate screenings.
At Mojave Radiation Oncology Center, we utilize radiation therapy to deliver a fast and high-quality treatment with comfort and convenience. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays that target specific cancer sites. Radiation may be used to destroy cancer cells, relieve symptoms associated with cancer and/or prevent the cancer from returning. Your treatment is custom-tailored and unique to your diagnosis, tumor size, location and involvement. Your radiation oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation) will review all available treatment options and recommend a personalized plan for you based on national guidelines, which guide all cancer treatments. Radiation therapy is used either alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy, hyperthermia and surgery.
Different types of radiation – such as 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D CRT), Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) – are used to treat specific types of cancers.
Radiation can be delivered either from outside the body with a machine called a linear accelerator (external beam radiation) or from a radiation source implanted permanently or temporarily in the body (brachytherapy).
We have an experienced and compassionate team of experts including doctors, physicist, dosimetrist and radiation therapists who work together to carefully create and deliver a treatment plan designed to ensure the best possible outcome. Our team utilizes advanced 3D CRT (3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy) and IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy).
3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy uses CT, MRI and PET scans to create three-dimensional images of the tumor. Your oncologist and medical physicist then uses these images to develop your personalized radiation treatment plan.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy uses these advanced computer images to adjust the intensity (dose), direction and shape of radiation beams delivered to the tumor. This precision targets the tumor and spares adjacent healthy tissue.
For prostate cancer, radiation therapy is carefully planned to target the prostate gland while protecting nearby organs such as the bladder and rectum. Advanced imaging and treatment techniques allow our team to deliver radiation with precision, helping achieve effective cancer control while minimizing side effects.
Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is emotional, scary, overwhelming and can make you feel like you’ve lost control. Your cancer and the way you respond to treatments are individual and personal. Most people know about cancer through the experience of someone else, often a family member or friend. There are many types of cancer and other people’s experiences will not be the same as yours. We encourage you to express your emotions, ask questions and allow us to teach you how to be an advocate for yourself.
Several cancers today have excellent outcomes and can be cured with new technologies and advancements. In other cases, treatments may be given which either extend or maintain your quality of life. The first step to regaining control and alleviating much of your anxiety is to educate yourself about your cancer. Few cancers require emergency treatment so you have time to learn about your diagnosis and treatment options. We encourage you to ask questions and seek additional medical information.
There are many websites with information about cancer. In addition to our site, we recommend using reliable sources, including The American Cancer Society and The National Cancer Institute.
Prostate cancer treatment is highly individualized, taking into account factors such as cancer stage, PSA levels, overall health, and personal preferences. Your care team will guide you through each step of treatment, focusing not only on cancer control but also on maintaining quality of life.
Our team has experience treating prostate cancer using advanced radiation therapy techniques and evidence-based guidelines. We work closely with each patient to develop a personalized treatment approach designed to balance effectiveness, safety, and long-term well-being.
We know you have a choice about where you get your cancer care. Here are the top reasons why we believe Mojave Radiation Oncology Center is the best choice:
You will have a CT scan, PET scan or MRI to create a personalized treatment plan. A specialized team, including your oncologist, will use 3D images and special computer software to establish the precise contours for each tumor and any regions of risk (sensitive organs or structures). Your physician will decide how much radiation the tumor should receive and the appropriate pattern, position and intensity of the radiation beam will be calculated.
For prostate cancer, treatment planning includes detailed imaging and careful positioning to ensure accurate targeting of the prostate while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding organs.
Radiation treatments happen Monday through Friday for a number of weeks, usually for 5-8 weeks. Weekend breaks, on Saturday and Sunday, allow your normal cells to recover and assist your healing process.
Radiation therapy for prostate cancer is typically delivered over multiple sessions, often Monday through Friday for several weeks. Your radiation oncologist will determine the appropriate schedule based on your specific diagnosis and treatment goals.
Ink marks or small tattoo-like dots may be placed on your skin in the area of the tumor to ensure the radiation is precisely delivered to the tumor. The markings are visible on your skin, but only in the area of the tumor and are not permanent. They are designed to fade and will begin to disappear towards the end of your radiation treatments. Occasionally, the markings will have to be reapplied to your skin during treatment. It is very important that you do not scrub the markings, during your bathing/showering. Your radiation therapist will discuss with you how to care for your skin during your treatments, including protecting the markings. You may also need a custom-fitted molded device to help keep you in the same position before and during treatment.
Our radiation therapists will bring you from the waiting room to the treatment room with the linear accelerator (radiation machine). They will ensure you are comfortable and assist you in getting positioned on the treatment table.
Our therapist will align the laser to the target on your skin, indicated by the “tattoo-like” markings. Alignment takes only a couple of minutes. The therapist will leave the room to deliver and monitor your treatment.
During treatment, the machine will move around your body. You won’t feel anything. It’s much like having an x-ray. Sometimes the specific area of skin receiving treatment, can get tender and sunburned, your healthcare team will want to know if you are experiencing any burning or discomfort during your treatment. Your healthcare team will guide you with proper care of your skin.
Typically the treatment takes about 10-15 minutes. Daily treatment sessions are brief, though setup and positioning may take additional time to ensure accuracy.
The most common side effect is fatigue – it is very important to get plenty of rest and adequate nutrition. Generally, you will see your doctor weekly. We are always available if you need us.
Side effects from prostate cancer radiation therapy vary and may develop gradually during or after treatment. Your care team will monitor your progress and provide guidance on managing urinary, bowel, or fatigue-related symptoms if they occur.