Cancer is a challenging disease to treat due to its impact on the genetic makeup of the body’s smallest and most essential units—its cells. With an estimated 37.2 trillion cells in the human body, the variation in types of cancer and the treatment required is vast and can differ greatly from one individual to another.
To achieve the best outcomes on a cancer journey, it’s crucial for a multidisciplinary team of doctors and specialists to work together. They must customize the safest and most effective treatment plan tailored specifically to each patient. This personalized approach is a key aspect of care, where they focus on individualizing treatment plans for every patient they serve.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are among the most common cancer treatments. These therapies can be used together, with other treatments, or on their own, depending on the patient’s specific needs. The treatment plan is always customized to the individual, taking a whole-health approach that considers the body, mind, and spirit.
Understanding the basics of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as how they differ in their methods and effects on the body, is essential for anyone undergoing treatment. Let’s delve into these differences and explore how each treatment works.
CHEMOTHERAPY
Chemotherapy is characterized by two key factors. Firstly, it utilizes specialized drugs designed to target and destroy rapidly dividing cells, like cancer cells. Secondly, these drugs are systemic, meaning they circulate throughout the entire body, not just one specific area, allowing them to prevent cancer cells from spreading to other parts.
However, because chemotherapy affects all rapidly dividing cells, it can lead to side effects that impact various parts of the body, not just where the cancer is located. While each type of chemotherapy has its own risks and potential side effects, individual experiences can vary significantly. Commonly reported side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Increased risk of infection
- Anaemia (low red blood cell counts)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Changes in appetite
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Mouth, tongue, and throat issues, such as sores and pain while swallowing
- Nerve and muscle issues, including numbness, tingling, and pain
- Skin and nail changes, such as dryness and colour changes
- Urine and bladder changes, along with kidney issues
- Weight fluctuations
- “Chemo brain,” referring to decreased concentration and focus
- Mood alterations
- Changes in libido and sexual function
- Fertility concerns
Chemotherapy comes in various forms and can be administered in multiple settings, including outpatient facilities, hospitals, doctors’ offices, or even at home. Methods of delivery include intravenous (IV) infusion, oral pills, injections, or topical applications directly to the skin.
RADIATION THERAPY
Radiation therapy functions differently from chemotherapy. While chemotherapy circulates throughout the entire body, radiation therapy focuses on a specific area where cancer cells are located, aiming to minimize the impact on healthy cells.
Instead of directly killing the cells, radiation damages the DNA within the cancer cells, causing them to die off. Though surrounding healthy cells may also be affected, they generally have the ability to repair the DNA damage and recover after the treatment is completed.
Radiation therapy’s side effects are typically localized to the treated area (with the exception of fatigue) and can be categorized as early or late effects. Early side effects usually appear during or shortly after treatment and tend to be temporary, mild, and manageable. Common early side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Skin changes
- Area-specific side effects, such as hair loss or mouth problems if the head or neck is treated
Late side effects may occur months or even years later in the area that received radiation. To reduce the risk of these late effects, careful treatment planning is essential, focusing on minimizing potential long-term harm.
HARNESSING THE POWER OF RADIATION AND CHEMOTHERAPY TO CONQUER CANCER
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Every individual and every type of cancer is unique, and cancer treatment should reflect this individuality. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are both critical in the fight against cancer, but they work in distinct ways to target the disease.
Because each person’s body and cancer type can react differently to treatment, having access to advanced care—encompassing the latest treatments, technology, research, and specialized physicians—is vital. A whole-person approach to care ensures that treatments are tailored to the individual’s specific needs.
Some patients may undergo only chemotherapy or radiation therapy, while others might receive a combination of both, alongside additional treatments like immunotherapy, personalized medicine, or participation in clinical trials. Our team of cancer experts is dedicated to guiding patients through their treatment journey, offering the best possible outcomes for treatment, recovery, and the hope of a cure.
UNLOCKING THE POWER: THE KEY BENEFITS OF CHEMO AND RADIATION
Both chemotherapy and radiation therapy are crucial and often indispensable in the fight against many cancers. Chemotherapy is particularly valuable for targeting cancer cells that have spread beyond the primary tumor to other parts of the body, especially those too small to detect, known as micrometastases. It’s also effective in eliminating any remaining cancer cells or tumor fragments after surgery or radiation therapy.
Radiation therapy, on the other hand, excels at shrinking or destroying specific tumors. With generally fewer side effects than chemotherapy, radiation may be the preferred option if certain health conditions or other factors make chemotherapy unsuitable.
The healthcare provider will tailor a treatment plan specific to your cancer type, stage, and personal factors such as age and overall health. These considerations are vital to selecting the treatment that offers the best chance of survival and recovery.
CHEMO VS. RADIATION: HOW DO THE RISKS STACK UP?
Both chemotherapy and radiation therapy come with potential risks, including:
- Fertility Issues
- Heart Complications
- Lung Damage
- Nerve Damage
- Infections
The likelihood of experiencing these complications depends on whether you’re undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
With chemotherapy, the risk factors are influenced by the specific drug used, the dosage, and the duration of treatment. In contrast, radiation therapy, being localized rather than systemic, carries risks based on the dosage and the specific area being treated.
For instance, radiation directed at the pelvis may increase the risk of fertility issues, while radiation aimed at the breast area could heighten the risk of heart valve damage.
Chemo vs. Radiation: Which Treatment Takes a Bigger Toll on Your Body?
Determining which cancer therapy will be tougher on your body is challenging, as the effects of chemotherapy and radiation can vary greatly depending on the type and dosage, as well as individual reactions. For example, one person might experience severe nausea, while another might struggle with extreme fatigue.
Systemic treatments like chemotherapy or liquid radiation often come with a broader range of side effects since they affect the entire body. In contrast, localized treatments such as external beam radiation or solid internal radiation may cause more intense side effects in the specific area being treated.
It’s important to discuss with healthcare provider which treatment options are most suitable for you and how they can manage or adjust treatments to help alleviate potential side effects.
Also Read: What are the pros and cons of chemotherapy?
Can Chemo and Radiation Team Up? Exploring the Power of Combined Cancer Treatments
Some cancers can be effectively treated with just radiation, especially when detected early before they’ve grown or spread. However, cancer treatment often involves a combination of methods to address the disease more comprehensively.
These treatment plans can include radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, surgery, targeted therapies, or immune therapies. Combining treatments can enhance their effectiveness—chemotherapy, for instance, might make radiation treatments work better.
If doctor recommends starting with one type of treatment before others, it’s known as neoadjuvant treatment. This approach aims to shrink a tumor or address metastases before the primary tumor is surgically removed.
On the other hand, treatments given after initial therapies are referred to as adjuvant treatments. These are designed to lower the risk of cancer returning or spreading after the initial treatment or surgery.
Also Read: How does chemotherapy actually kill cancer cells but leaves good cells?
Conclusion
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are both effective cancer treatments, but their use depends on factors like the cancer’s type, location, and extent. Chemotherapy is a systemic approach that affects the whole body, while radiation therapy is usually targeted to a specific area, though it can also have systemic effects.
Each treatment comes with its own set of potential side effects, which can vary based on the individual and the treatment regimen. The impact on the body can differ from person to person. In some cases, a combination of both chemotherapy and radiation may be recommended to tackle the cancer more effectively.
Also Read: 8 things not to do while on chemotherapy
