Very advanced stages of cancer usually require combinations of radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. In addition to standard treatments, people with cancer that has metastasized may choose to participate in experimental programs using new treatment approaches because the prognosis at this stage is so grave. External beam radiation is given first and aimed at the lymph nodes along the pelvic wall. Care must be taken during this procedure. External beam radiation as an outpatient usually involves a short period of exposure to directed radiation five days a week for six weeks.
Intracavitary radiation follows and is mandatory for any possible cure.
Commonly, two radiation treatments are administered for about 35 hours for each time. Radiation implants may also be inserted directly into the tumor using a needle. In order to be effective, radiation therapy must be powerful enough to destroy the cancer cells' capacity to grow and divide. Unfortunately, this means that normal cells are also affected, which can cause very severe side effects. Fortunately, healthy cells recover quickly from the damage, whereas abnormal cells do not.