Colorectal Cancer: Post Treatment 6 Months +: Medical Care Stages II,III,IV

Most radiation is given off during the first 3 months after the procedure. Most side effects are experienced during that period of time. 

The seeds are left in permanently, but lose some energy every day until all energy is gone. The seeds do not transmit rays outside your body. 

Follow Up Tests 

Tests and imaging studies may include a CT scan, an MRI test or a PET scan. 

Side effects 

Following are side effects which are common with radiation seed treatment. Keep in mind that there is no way to predict what symptoms a particular individual will have or to what degree.

• Diarrhea:  
  • Persistent diarrhea after radiation is common. 
  • If you had the entire colon removed, there is no cure for diarrhea but changes in diet may lessen the frequency or looseness of your stool. 
  • For everyone else, click here to learn how to cope with diarrhea.
• Erectile function
  • There are remedies for erectile dysfunction. For information, click here.
  • Also keep in mind that sex is not the only form of intimacy. See “To Learn More.”
• Fluid retention: 
  • The build-up of fluid in the legs and elsewhere in the body may signal lymphedema  - swelling of a body part due to lymphatic fluid that cannot move. 
  • Less commonly, a build-up of fluid could also signal heart, liver or kidney failure. 
  • The build-up of fluid in the abdomen or chest may signal a recurrence of disease or a recurrence of disease. 
  • If your doctor gave you instructions to follow for reducing the possibility of lymphedema, follow those instructions for the period indicated. To learn about lymphedema, click here.
• Hair loss. 
  • Sometimes hair loss in the radiated area is not evident for months until the hair that is there falls out and new hair does not grow. 
  • Hair loss due to radiation does not regrow.

• Psychological issues such as anxiety and depression may appear short term or long term. For information and tips about each issue and what to do about them, click on the link.
  • Anxiety 
  • Depression. 
  • Fear
  • For information about other emotions or feelings that may appear, and what to do about them, click here.
• Urinary symptoms
  • The risk of long term incontinence is extremely low.
  • To learn tips for dealing with incontinence, click here.  

NOTE: Do not delay contacting your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms listed in the section:  “If These Symptoms Appear, Contact Your Doctor”

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