“What are the side effects of radiation for rectal cancer?”
I will get radiation treatment for rectal cancer. What are the side effects of radiation for rectal cancer?
3 Answers
Radiation therapy for rectal cancer can cause side effects such as fatigue, skin reactions, bowel problems (diarrhea, urgency), bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, fertility issues, and potential long-term complications like bowel strictures or chronic pain. To learn more, connect with me at drjeromepuryear.com. Thank you!
Inflammation of colon and small intestines.
Hello,
You are asking about possible side effects of radiation therapy for rectal cancer. I presume that you carry a diagnosis of rectal cancer which is localized. It is presumably being recommended as adjuvant therapy following surgical excision of the cancer. Radiation can be administered either prior to or following surgery. Generally surgical excision is the initial treatment recommendation.
If the cancer has travelled outside of the colon (metastases) radiation may be recommended to decrease symptoms of the area in which the cancer is growing.
Radiation is generally delivered using a machine that delivers the treatment to the area and surroundings where the cancer is found. It can be used as primary treatment or as additional treatment following surgery to decrease the chances of recurrence of the cancer. One can learn more about this treatment online by using a google search of “side effects of radiation for rectal cancer”. Otherwise it is a fair question to ask of your radiation oncologist.
Radiation is delivered to the area from which the cancer was excised surgically. Therefore other organs in the field are subject to inflammation from the radiation. One can learn more from online discussions. An excellent discussion is delivered at the website: www.cancercouncil.com.au. Side effects include tiredness, more frequent needs to pass urine, soreness or bleeding from the rectum, fecal incontinence or diarrhea, sometimes constipation or mucous discharge. Skin rashes are common. These symptoms are usually of short duration and pass following the radiation completion within a few weeks. It is less common to have long term side effects from radiation.
Good luck with treatment. Your radiation oncologist can recommend treatments to make side effects more manageable. Do not be afraid to ask any questions as the treatment goes on.
You are asking about possible side effects of radiation therapy for rectal cancer. I presume that you carry a diagnosis of rectal cancer which is localized. It is presumably being recommended as adjuvant therapy following surgical excision of the cancer. Radiation can be administered either prior to or following surgery. Generally surgical excision is the initial treatment recommendation.
If the cancer has travelled outside of the colon (metastases) radiation may be recommended to decrease symptoms of the area in which the cancer is growing.
Radiation is generally delivered using a machine that delivers the treatment to the area and surroundings where the cancer is found. It can be used as primary treatment or as additional treatment following surgery to decrease the chances of recurrence of the cancer. One can learn more about this treatment online by using a google search of “side effects of radiation for rectal cancer”. Otherwise it is a fair question to ask of your radiation oncologist.
Radiation is delivered to the area from which the cancer was excised surgically. Therefore other organs in the field are subject to inflammation from the radiation. One can learn more from online discussions. An excellent discussion is delivered at the website: www.cancercouncil.com.au. Side effects include tiredness, more frequent needs to pass urine, soreness or bleeding from the rectum, fecal incontinence or diarrhea, sometimes constipation or mucous discharge. Skin rashes are common. These symptoms are usually of short duration and pass following the radiation completion within a few weeks. It is less common to have long term side effects from radiation.
Good luck with treatment. Your radiation oncologist can recommend treatments to make side effects more manageable. Do not be afraid to ask any questions as the treatment goes on.
