Radiation Therapy for Colon Cancer at World Best Cancer Hospital in India

Radiation therapy is not a common way to treat colon cancer, though it may be used in certain circumstances. Radiation therapy, often with chemotherapy, is frequently used in the adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting for the treatment of rectal cancers, whereas chemotherapy alone is more common for the adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment of colon cancers.

Doctors who specialize in treating cancers with radiation are known as radiation oncologists. During radiation therapy, high-energy x-rays are used to kill cancer cells. In advanced stages of colon cancer, radiation therapy is often given instead of surgery when an operation cannot be performed. Radiation therapy is also commonly given in combination with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs have the ability to kill cancer cells directly and help make radiation therapy more effective in killing cancer cells.

Radiation therapy for colon cancer is typically delivered by a machine that aims x-rays at the body (external beam radiation). External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for colon cancer is given on an outpatient basis, 5 days a week, for approximately 5 to 6 weeks. If ERBT is used as palliative treatment for stage IV cancer, it may be given for a shorter time, one day to three weeks.

EBRT begins with a planning session, or simulation, during which the radiation oncologist places marks on the body and takes measurements in order to line up the radiation beam in the correct position for each treatment. After the simulation session, the patient begins a program of daily treatments. During treatment, the patient lies on a couch and is treated with radiation from multiple directions to the pelvis. The radiation oncologist may perform a second planning session or simulation near the end of treatment to focus the radiation to the area where cancer cells are most likely to remain. The last 3-5 days of treatment may be directed at this area.

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For small early cancers, a focused radiation beam can be aimed directly at the cancer in the colon. Intra-operative radiation therapy (IORT) refers to treatment in a specially equipped operating room where a single dose of radiation is given during surgery. The radiation doctor is able to see the area being treated directly and move sensitive normal structures, such as the small bowel, away from the radiation beam. IORT is usually administered when surgery is being performed for locally extensive cancer or stage II-IV cancer that has recurred in the pelvis. Some studies have shown good rates of control of recurrent tumors when surgery is combined with both IORT and traditional radiation therapy. IORT is not indicated in patients with multiple recurrent cancers due to the high frequency of nerve damage if many tumors are treated.

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) can be delivered more precisely to cancer-containing areas by using a special CT scan and targeting computer. This capability is known as three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, or 3D-CRT. The use of 3D-CRT appears to reduce the chance of injury to nearby normal body structures, such as the bladder or rectum. Since 3D-CRT can better target the area of cancer, radiation oncologists are evaluating whether higher doses of radiation can be given safely with greater potential for cancer cures.

Targeted Therapy : Certain substances and drugs are used by the targeted therapy in order to target particular cancer cells without causing any harm to nearby normal cells. The two types of targeted therapy include :

Angiogenesis Inhibitors :This helps in stopping the growth of new blood vessels which tumors need to grow.

Monoclonal Antibodies : These antibodies are prepared in the laboratory with the help of a single type of immune system. Certain substances can be identified by these antibodies that are on the cancer cells or it also indentifies certain normal substances that are helping in the growth of cancer cells. These antibodies then attach themselves with the substances for destroying cancer cells and also prevent them from spreading.

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