Guide To Colon Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment Options

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy with or without a surgical procedure may be needed as part of treatment to eliminate all cancerous cells in a colon cancer patient. Radiation therapy is used more often in patients who have cancer that affects their rectum before or following the surgical removal of the tumor. This type of treatment is also used in cases where a patient's colon or rectum malignancy is inoperable, and may or may not be used in combination with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is a noninvasive procedure where cancer cells are eliminated through the use of high energy x-ray beams. Radiation therapy works by aiming these energy beams at the cancerous cells so the beams cause mutations, partial destruction, or complete destruction of the DNA within the cancerous cells. This process can cause the cells to die immediately, die at a later time, be unable to grow, and or be unable to divide. Radiation for colorectal cancer is typically given five days a week on an outpatient basis for between five and six weeks. For palliative purposes or where symptoms are only being treated, the frequency and duration of radiation therapy sessions may vary.

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