What Are The Adverse Effects Of Radiation?

Posted on Tue, 14 Jun 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 Answered on

Sat, 9 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My father has been diagnosed as Carcinoma Rectum. This has been confirmed by Dr. through PET CT scan report. Dr. has suggested for Radiation Therapy for 5 weeks and a surgery after 6 weeks. My father age is 76 years and would like to know the side effects of radiation.

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
side effects are usually manageable

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

For rectal cancer upfront radiation with oral chemotherapy is a standard for most patients. Usually it is well tolerated if the patient is in active health without too many other illnesses. Only age on the higher side will not make it difficult.

Common side effects are pain, irritation in rectum with or without discharge or frequent small volume stools. Sometimes abdominal pain or urinary discomfort or burning. As his tumor is in upper rectum/ lower colon, side effects should be less.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar