Connection Radiation for Prostate causing Rectal Cancer

A study shows that men who have radiotherapy for prostate cancer do run double the risk of rectal cancer compared to men who have surgery.
There are various options for treating prostate cancer. Surgery removes the prostate gland but can be associated with some severe side effects. Now, however, researchers at the University of Minnesota reveal that radiotherapy too has some risk.

They looked at over 85,000 men and found that direct radiation in the area of the rectum, as part of prostate cancer treatment, is linked to increased risk of cancer of the rectum. However, there is no increased risk of cancer in other parts of the colon. The risk was 70 per cent greater for men treated with radiotherapy than for men treated with surgery.

The findings do relate to radiation given many years ago. The risk might be less with modern techniques. However, the risk of rectal cancer should be discussed with men who are trying to decide their best treatment options

Another way the gift of prostate cancer keeps on giving.

Terry

Sorry to hear that you developed the colon cancer. This was big news before my IMRT in 2008. The key here is a 70% increase in the probability. I looked at the absolute probability and it was 2% for the general population. I accepted the increase to an absolute probability of 3.4% since it was lower than the probability of dying on the operating table during my open heart surgery. Unfortunately, my rad treatment was not successful.

I do have a colonoscopy every two years and I am due again soon.

I hope this post is not coming off as "argumentative" or insensitive to your plight. If so my apologies.

Best of luck with your treatment.

Don