How Radiation Affects Healing

Transcript

Radiation can really affect healing, and especially in regards to rectal cancer, the radiation is going to decrease the blood supply to this area. And so oftentimes the rectum will get radiated and then we remove the portion of the rectum that’s been radiated. However, the surrounding tissues and some of the surrounding rectum and colon may still have some radiation effect.

Oftentimes when you’ve had radiation preoperatively, we will perform what’s called a diverting osteomy, which is to actually give the anastomosis or the connection some time to heal, especially because of the decreased blood supply after radiation.

Key Takeaways

1. Radiation can affect healing, especially in regards to rectal cancer where it can decrease the blood supply.

2. Oftentimes the rectum will get radiated and the portion of the rectum that’s been radiated is removed.

3. However, the surrounding tissues and some of the surrounding rectum and colon may still have some radiation effect.

4. Often when you’ve had radiation preoperatively, a diverting osteomy is performed to give the anastomosis (the connection) some time to heal.