Radiation Therapy to Treat Colon Cancer

Radiation therapy may be used for colon cancer, especially when the cancer has spread to an internal organ or the abdominal lining. The high-energy rays used in radiation therapy can destroy cancer cells that may have been missed during surgery. Chemotherapy is also often used along with radiation therapy because the two together can be more effective.

In rectal cancer, radiation therapy may be used before or after surgery. Radiation therapy may be used to shrink a tumor in cases where the location or size of the tumor makes it difficult to reach with surgery. In people who are not good surgical candidates, radiation therapy may be used instead of surgery.

Radiation therapy is given in several ways: from outside the body (much like an x-ray), via a device that is inserted into the anus, or inside the body in close proximity to the tumor.

_Source:

American Cancer Society. "Radiation Therapy." American Cancer Society, Inc 5 Mar 2008. 4 Mar 2009.