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Radiation therapy is a treatment using high-energy rays (such as x-rays) or particles to destroy cancer cells. For some intestinal cancers, treating with chemotherapy at the same time can make radiation therapy work better. Using these 2 treatments together is called chemoradiation.

When is radiation therapy used?

It's not common to use radiation therapy to treat small intestine cancer, but it may be used in certain cases if the cancer is in the duodenum:

• Before surgery (along with chemo) to help shrink a tumor and make it easier to remove.
• After surgery, if not all of the cancer has been removed. Radiation therapy may be used to try to kill any cancer cells that may have been left behind.
• To ease symptoms if advanced small intestine cancer is causing bleeding or pain.
• To help treat cancer that has spread to other areas, such as the bones, lungs, or brain.

External-beam radiation therapy is the type of radiation used most often for small intestine cancer. For this treatment, radiation beams are aimed at the tumor from a machine outside the body.

Before treatment starts, the radiation team will take careful measurements to find the correct angles for aiming the radiation beams and the proper dose of radiation. This planning session, called simulation, usually includes imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans.

Radiation therapy is much like getting an x-ray, but the radiation is much stronger. The treatment itself is painless. It lasts only a few minutes, although the setup time – getting you into place for treatment – usually takes longer. You might get radiation treatment for several days in a row.

Possible side effects

The main side effects of radiation therapy to the intestines include:

• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Skin changes in the area where the radiation beams passed through, which can range from mild redness to blistering and peeling

Most side effects should get better over time after treatment ends, but some problems may not go away completely. If you notice any side effects, talk to your cancer care team right away so steps can be taken to reduce or relieve them.