Radiation Therapy
As part of the treatment for colon cancer, radiation therapy may be required. This can include a surgical procedure or a combination of both. Radiation therapy may be used in more patients with cancer of the rectum, either before or after the surgery to remove the tumor. It is also used when a patient has a malignancy in the colon or rectum that is not operable. This treatment may be combined with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to eliminate cancer cells. Radiation therapy involves aiming high-energy beams of light at cancerous cancer cells to cause mutations or partial destruction. The cells can die instantly, later, or not be able to grow and/or divide. Radiation is usually given outpatiently five days per week for five to six weeks for . Radiation therapy can be given for palliative reasons or to treat symptoms only.
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