What is chemotherapy radiation

Is Chemotherapy the same as Radiation Therapy? Chemotherapy targets cancer cells throughout the body usually by using cytotoxic medications given intravenously.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams like x-rays or protons to target and kill cancer cells at a specific tumor site. Chemo vs Radiation: Side Effects Both chemotherapy and radiation therapy can damage normal cells in process of trying to kill cancer cells.

The type of side effects varies greatly depending on which modality is used. Side Effects of Chemotherapy Side effects from chemotherapy can vary greatly and depend upon the type of agent use. Some of the more common side effects to be aware of include: Fatigue: Chemotherapy can drain the body of its energy, making people feel tired despite large amounts of sleep Hair Loss: Some, but not all, chemotherapy affects hair cells causing hair loss.

Decreased blood counts: Sometimes chemotherapy can affect the blood counts including red cells, white cells and platelets. Low red blood cells contribute to the fatigue, low platelet counts lead to easy bruising and bleeding, and low white blood cells may make people susceptible to infection. Blood counts are often monitored frequently with certain types of chemotherapy. Nausea: Nausea and vomiting are common with chemotherapy and varying in severity though often respond to medications.

Other complications: The possible development of secondary cancers Side Effects of Radiation Therapy The side effects associated with radiation will be dependent on the area of the body that is exposed to the radiation.

Some radiation side effects include: Skin conditions: Dry, inflammed skin at the radiation site or the development of breakdown or blistering. Fatigue and stiffness: Can be seen in many patients undergoing radiation, usually toward the latter part of treatment.

These treatments have advanced through the decades, resulting in greater life expectancy for more recent patients. Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! National Cancer Institute. Chemotherapy to treat cancer. Updated April 29, Radiation therapy for cancer.

Updated January 8, Definition of micrometastasis. Radiation therapy side effects. Updated May 1, Combination treatments. American Cancer Society.

Understanding your options and making treatment decisions. Updated May 13, Coping — late side effects. Updated September 16, Life expectancy of adult survivors of childhood cancer over 3 decades. JAMA Oncol. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth.

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I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. What Is Chemotherapy? What Is Radiation? Chemo Benefits and Risks. Radiation Benefits and Risks. Which Is Harder? Using Both Together. Managing Side Effects. Frequently Asked Questions How long does it take to feel like yourself after chemo and radiation?

Is chemo or radiation used first to treat cancer? Will chemo and radiation shorten your life span? Share this on:. So, what exactly is the difference between chemo and radiation? Chemotherapy , or chemo, is a process in which drugs are used to treat cancer. The goal of chemotherapy is to stop the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy is administered by a medical oncology cancer health professional, typically a nurse or doctor. Chemo side effects vary depending on the type and amount of chemotherapy drug used and how the body reacts to it.

Because chemotherapy drugs travel through the body, they can also impact healthy cells, leading to a variety of side effects.

Some chemo drugs can damage cells in the heart, kidneys, bladder, lungs, and nervous system. There are also medicines to help relieve side effects. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells. Doctors usually give these drugs with breaks, so you have time to rest and recover before the next treatment. This lets your healthy cells heal. For example, you might get a dose of chemotherapy on the first day and then have 3 weeks of recovery time before repeating the treatment.

Each 3-week period is called a treatment cycle. Several cycles make up a course of chemotherapy. A course usually lasts 3 months or more. Some cancers are treated with less recovery time between cycles.

This is called a dose-dense schedule. It can make chemotherapy more effective against some cancers. But it also increases the risk of side effects.

Talk with your health care team about the best schedule for you. Intravenous IV chemotherapy. Many drugs require injection directly into a vein.

This is called intravenous or IV chemotherapy. Treatment takes a few minutes to a few hours. Some IV drugs work better if you get them over a few days or weeks. You take them through a small pump you wear or carry. This is called continuous infusion chemotherapy. Oral chemotherapy. You can take some drugs by mouth.

They can be in a pill, capsule, or liquid. This means that you may be able to pick up your medication at the pharmacy and take it at home. Oral treatments for cancer are now more common.

Some of these drugs are given daily, and others are given less often. For example, a drug may be given daily for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week break. Injected chemotherapy. This is when you receive chemotherapy as a shot.