Colo-rectal Cancer Management - Radiation therapy

Colo-rectal Cancer Management - Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells and to reduce the size of the tumors.

There are two types of radiation therapy.

• External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer
• Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer

The type of radiation therapy given depends on the stage of the cancer being treated.

The side effects of Radiation therapy are:

• Fatigue
• Hair Loss
• Skin or Rectal irritation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Sexual problems
• Burning micturition