Radiation Therapy

There are two types of radiation treatment used for colorectal cancer:

External beam radiation therapy uses radiation from outside the body to damage the cells in the path of the beam, including both the cancer cells and normal cells.

Brachytherapy involves implanting radioactive material (in the form of seeds, wires or needles) directly into or near the cancer. The procedure is usually done in a hospital, using a local or general anesthetic.

After surgery, radiation can be used to kill small areas of cancer that could not be removed during surgery. If the size or location of a tumour makes it difficult to surgically remove it, radiation may be used before surgery to shrink the tumour. Radiation may also be used to ease symptoms of advanced cancer, such as intestinal blockage, bleeding or pain.

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