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ANAL CANCER

Side Effects

Potential side effects of Radixact® treatment for anal cancer

Most radiation side effects are minimal and last only a short time. Side effects can, however, be severe. Possible short-term side effects could include:

  • Diarrhea and pain while going to the bathroom
  • Skin changes in areas being treated
  • Anal irritation and pain (radiation proctitis)
  • Discomfort during bowel movements
  • Vagina irritation in women
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Low blood cell counts
  • Long-term side effects could include:
  • Scar tissue that can keep the anal sphincter muscle from working as it should
  • Fractures of the pelvis or hip
  • Rectal bleeding and pain
  • Infertility
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Narrowing or shortening of the vagina (stenosis), which can make sex painful
  • Swelling in the genitals and legs (lymphedema)
  • Sexual dysfunction

Ask your doctor for more details about the side effects of your specific radiation therapy.

Managing side effects with your medical team

Prior to beginning Radixact treatment, your medical team will discuss all possible side effects and may prescribe medication to control any side effects, should they occur.

Protecting healthy tissue — protecting quality of life.

While all radiotherapy treatments carry the risk of side effects, Radixact treatments are well tolerated with minimal side effects. The Radixact System allows your treatment team to optimize the radiation dose delivered to the target — while minimizing dose to nearby organs (i.e., heart, lungs) and surrounding healthy tissues. Feedback from doctors suggests that Radixact treatment can reduce the risk of common side effects that impact quality of life both during and after treatment. The majority of patients can continue normal activity during and immediately following treatment.

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Important Safety Statement: Most side effects of radiotherapy, including radiotherapy delivered with Accuray systems, are mild and temporary, often involving fatigue, nausea, and skin irritation. Side effects can be severe, however, leading to pain, alterations in normal body functions (for example, urinary or salivary function), deterioration of quality of life, permanent injury and even death. Side effects can occur during or shortly after radiation treatment or in the months and years following radiation. The nature and severity of side effects depend on many factors, including the size and location of the treated tumor, the treatment technique (for example, the radiation dose), the patient’s general medical condition, to name a few. For more details about the side effects of your radiation therapy, and if treatment with an Accuray product is right for you, ask your doctor.