Radiotherapy for anal cancer
Radiotherapy is a common treatment for anal cancer. It uses high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. You usually have external radiotherapy. This means using radiation from a machine to destroy the cancer.
For anal cancer, you usually have radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy). You might also have radiotherapy for anal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (advanced anal cancer).
Planning radiotherapy for anal cancer
The radiotherapy team plans your external beam radiotherapy before you start treatment. This means working out the dose of radiotherapy you need and exactly where you need it.
Having radiotherapy treatment for anal cancer
External radiotherapy uses high energy waves similar to x-rays to kill cancer cells. You have radiotherapy in a hospital radiotherapy department.
Side effects of anal cancer radiotherapy
Radiotherapy for anal cancer can cause side effects such as, opening your bowels more often (diarrhoea) and sore skin around your anus.
Long term side effects of anal cancer radiotherapy
External radiotherapy for anal cancer can cause long term side effects. But your doctor or specialist nurse can tell you how to manage them.
