Cancerbackup: The pelvic area
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Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high-energy x-rays which destroy cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells. Radiotherapy to the pelvic area may cause long-term changes in the structures and organs in the pelvic area. In a woman this includes:
- the vagina
- womb (uterus)
- lining of the womb (endometrium)
- neck of the womb (cervix)
- the two ovaries
- two fallopian tubes
- the vulva (a woman’s external genital area)
- the bladder
- the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder to the outside)
Front view of abdomen and pelvic area
Parts of the digestive system may also be affected, including:
- the large bowel (colon and rectum)
- the small bowel (especially a part called the terminal ileum)
- the back passage (anus).
The digestive system
Other body parts in the pelvic area that may be affected by radiotherapy are:
- the pelvic bones
- some lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands
Pelvic and abdominal lymph nodes
Content last reviewed: 01 March 2007
Page last modified: 10 April 2007
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