Potential side effects during radiation therapy for colorectal cancer are based on where we aim the bean, which will be fatigue as well as bladder and bowel, or rectal, irritation or inflammation. We manage these symptoms with medications to maintain the highest quality of life possible.

You can learn more about potential side effects by speaking with your radiation oncology care team, and we will work with you to manage symptoms throughout your treatment.

The below example calendar is from a patient recommended for 4 weeks of radiation therapy.

• The American Association for Cancer Research is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization focusing on all aspects of cancer research. They have a patient advocacy information section that provides a wealth of information based on colorectal cancer: https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/cancer/colorectal-cancer/
• The American Cancer Society is a very large and active non-profit with many programs to help patients through their diagnosis and treatment.  Information from the ACS about colorectal cancer is here: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html
• The National Cancer Institute – an institute of the federal government focused on cancer research and training – has a dedicated page for colorectal cancer: https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal. You may find the section on “Treatment” to be the most helpful: https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colon-treatment-pdq