Radiation Therapy for Colorectal Cancer

For colon cancer, radiation therapy is used mostly after an operation to remove cancer or it may be used if the cancer has actually spread to the bones. Radiation therapy will also be recommended if the doctor thinks it may be necessary to kill additional cancer cells within the area that are naked to the human eye. This may be the case if during the surgery, the doctor suspects the cancer may be growing in other organs such as the bladder, kidneys, or spleen.

Sometimes, for any variety of reasons, the doctor may suspect or may have had to leave some cancer behind. When this occurs, radiation therapy is frequently suggested as a treatment. Many times this radiation therapy will prevent the return growth of the cancer. This therapy is very seldom practiced as an initial treatment for colon cancer nor is it used if the lymph nodes are involved. Surgery is normally the first treatment used with radiation therapy as a treatment following.

For rectal cancer, radiation therapy is far more significant in the treatment. Unlike colon treatment, for rectal cancer radiation can be used before surgery and or after surgery. It seems that rectal cancer cells are influence more by radiation than colon cancer cells which makes this radiation treatment a far better treatment for the rectal cancer.

This radiation treatment can be used before hand to minimize an advanced rectal cancer before the actual surgery. It will lessen the size of the tumor providing the doctor with a better chance of successfully removing what needs to be removed. Lessening the mass may also give the doctor the opportunity to remove the cancerous mass directly from entering the anus minimizing cutting. Remember, the rectum is actually the last eight to ten inches of the colon which leads straight to the anus.

Once again, if it is suspected that some cancer cells may have been left behind during surgery, radiation treatment is a positive way to approach this possibility. It may be the best way to help prevent any cancer from growing back. That decision needs to be determined by all involved, including the patient.

Receiving radiation treatments involves a beam of radiation which is directed right at the cancerous part of the body. Just before this is done, the radiation oncologist will mark on your body with a marker exactly where the beam of radiation is to be directed. Only a specific area of the body gets exposed, not the entire body. Don’t think for a second that your whole body gets engulfed by radiation.

Only the specified areas get the beam which is the whole idea. This pinpoint aim kills the cancer and leaves the surrounding area somewhat undamaged. A designed lead body shield is also used to help provide extra protection during the procedure.

There are specifically two different types of radiation therapy. They are classified according to how the radiation is delivered and directed. One type is the external beam radiation and the other is the endocavity radiation. Both are used for the treatment of colorectal cancer and with success. Once again, I suggest that the patient have a strong say, if able, in the treatments used. In order to have this input, the patient must informed and educated regarding colorectal cancer and the way radiation therapy (treatment) is applied.