Once your care team has the results from your tests and knows the stage of your rectal cancer, specialists from both Brigham and Women’s and Dana-Farber will come together to create a treatment plan just for you. This expert team includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists surgical oncologists and other specialists who work closely with you and your family to make sure the plan fits your specific needs.
Along with advanced medical care, we offer many supportive services to help patients through every step of treatment. A dedicated patient navigator and skilled nurses are here to guide you and connect you with extra support like nutrition counseling, emotional and spiritual care, fertility preservation and financial guidance. We also provide palliative care to help manage pain and improve comfort. Most of your appointments will take place at either Brigham and Women’s or Dana-Farber in Boston, which are connected by an indoor bridge, making it easy to get to both without needing to go outside.
Find out more about our patient and family services.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It can be given in two ways: external radiation, which comes from a machine that aims beams at the tumor from outside the body, and internal radiation, which uses tiny radioactive pellets placed inside the body near the tumor. Radiation therapy may be used before or after surgery to shrink the tumor or help stop the cancer from coming back. Your care team will work with you to decide which type is best for your treatment plan.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It is often used with surgery to treat rectal cancer, and sometimes combined with radiation therapy. You might get one or more types of chemotherapy, depending on your health and the stage of your cancer. Your care team will explain what to expect and how to manage side effects, so you feel supported throughout treatment.
Chemoradiation: Sometimes, chemotherapy and radiation are used together to improve how well the treatment works. It may be the main treatment or given before surgery to shrink the tumor. Combining these treatments can cause more side effects, but your care team will help manage them and make sure you are as comfortable as possible during the process.
Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy uses medicines that focus on specific parts of cancer cells. These medicines block signals that help the cancer grow. For rectal cancer, targeted therapy may be used if the cancer is advanced, has spread, or cannot be removed with surgery. Your doctors may test your cancer cells to see if this treatment will work for you. This approach can be more precise than standard treatments, helping to protect healthy cells.
Immunotherapy helps your body’s immune system find and attack cancer cells. Some rectal cancers can hide from the immune system, but immunotherapy gives it the tools to fight back. This treatment may be used before or after surgery, or when cancer has spread to other parts of the body. It doesn’t work for everyone, so special tests are done to see if it’s the right option for you.
Clinical Trials: Clinical trials are research studies that test new treatments for cancer. Taking part in a trial may give you access to cutting-edge therapies that aren’t yet widely available. Trials can include new drugs, new combinations of treatments, or new ways to deliver care. Your doctor can help you understand if a trial is a good fit for your treatment plan.
Palliative Care: Palliative care is medical care that focuses on relieving pain, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life. It’s meant for anyone with a serious illness like cancer and can be given alongside treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. A team of specialists works with you and your family to offer emotional, physical, and spiritual support. Palliative care can help you feel better and may even help you live longer.
At Dana-Farber Brigham 天美传媒, our surgical oncologists are highly experienced in the most advanced, minimally invasive procedures for rectal cancer. They follow the latest evidence-based guidelines to reduce hospital stays, speed up recovery, and lower the risk of complications—while aiming for the best possible outcomes and patient satisfaction. Learn more about our surgical treatment options for rectal cancer and what to expect before and after surgery.
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