The 3 main types of treatment for colorectal cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Depending
on the stage of your cancer, 2 or more types of treatment may be used at the same time, or one after the other. At
the Tidwell Cancer Treatment Center, we know that your chances of having a good outcome are highest in the
hands of a medical team that has experience in treating colorectal cancer.
Radiation therapy is treatment with high-energy rays (such as x-rays) to kill or shrink cancer cells. The radiation
may come from outside the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed directly in the tumor
(internal or implant radiation).
After surgery, radiation can kill small areas of cancer that may not be seen during surgery. If the size or location of
a tumor makes surgery hard, radiation may be used before the surgery to shrink the tumor. Radiation can also be
used to ease symptoms of advanced cancer such as intestinal blockage, bleeding, or pain.
The main use for radiation therapy in people with colon cancer is when the cancer has attached to an internal
organ or the lining of the abdomen. If this happens, the doctor cannot be sure that all the cancer has been
removed, and radiation therapy is used to kill the cancer cells left behind after surgery. For rectal cancer, radiation
is also given to prevent the cancer from coming back in the place where it started and to treat local recurrences
that are causing symptoms such as pain. Radiation is seldom used to treat metastatic colon cancer.
External radiation is most often used for people with colon or rectal cancer. Treatments are given 5 days a week
for several weeks. Each treatment lasts only a few minutes and is something like having an x-ray for a broken
bone.
A different approach may be used for some cases of rectal cancer. The radiation can be aimed through the anus
and reaches the rectum without passing through the skin of the abdomen.
For internal radiation therapy, small pellets of radioactive material are placed next to or directly into the cancer.
This method is sometimes used in treating people with rectal cancer, particularly sick or older people who
would not be able to withstand surgery.
Side effects of radiation therapy for colon or rectal cancer include mild skin irritation, nausea, diarrhea, rectal or
bladder irritation, or tiredness. Sexual problems may also occur in men. Side effects often go away after treatment
is over. If you have these or other side effects, talk to your doctor. There are ways to reduce or relieve
many of these problems.
Dr. Jack Tidwell, Radiation Oncologist and owner of the Tidwell Cancer Treatment Center said, ”With age comes
more health concerns. If you are age 50 or older, please see your Doctor and ask to be tested for colon cancer.
Early detection can save your life.”
Other than skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this
country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 112,340 new cases of colon cancer and
41,420 new cases of rectal cancer in 2007 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 52,180 deaths.
The death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for the past 15 years. One reason is that there are
fewer cases. Thanks to colorectal cancer screening, polyps can be found and removed before they turn into cancer.
And colorectal cancer can also be found earlier when it is easier to cure. Treatments have improved as well.
