Table of Contents
Chemotherapy vs. Radiation Therapy: Key Differences Every Patient Should Know
By Raveena M Prakash
Facing a cancer diagnosis is one of the most overwhelming phases of a person's life. Understanding what different treatment options are available for your type of cancer patient is also equally important. While the most common and effective treatments used for cancer are chemotherapy and radiation therapy, both of them aim to destroy cancer cells. It works in different ways and has different side effects, and treatment processes, and goals.
In this blog, we’ll discover more about the key differences between chemotherapy and radiation therapy, so you can feel more informed and help to empower your loved ones throughout the treatment.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a powerful cancer treatment, and it uses drugs to destroy cancer cells and prevent tumor growth. These treatments might often be used to pair with other cancer treatments such as radiation therapy or surgery. These treatments are usually given intravenously (through a vein). Even though it’s an effective treatment, it can cause major side effects to patients' bodies.
How chemotherapy works in patients?
Chemo drugs interfere with the process of cell division, especially focusing on fast-growing cells, which includes cancer cells along with healthy cells in the mouth, hair follicles, or the digestive system. Additionally, chemo drugs affect blood-forming cells in the bone marrow that are all fast-growing, all these damage caused by chemo drugs can cause side effects such as fatigue and other side effects as well.
Common uses of Chemotherapy
The common use of chemotherapy includes treating various cancers, which includes destroying cancer cells. It is usually performed with the aim of curing or completely removing cancer from patients. These treatments are often given to control the growth of cancer or slow down the cancer cell growth, to palliation.
The specific goal of chemotherapy is curative, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative. However, it mainly depends on the type and stage of the cancer.
The common side effects of chemotherapy
Here’s the common side effects of chemotherapy, because chemo affects all those fast-growing cells in the body, side effects can often be widespread.
These may include:
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased risk of infection
- Mouth sores
- Fertility issues
- Trouble in thinking and remembering
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Bruising and bleeding
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, is a common cancer treatment that uses radiation, which is usually high-powered x-rays, to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used independently or along with other cancer treatments, such as surgery, immunotherapy and chemotherapy to treat and control cancer.
How does radiation therapy work?
Radiation therapy generally works by using high-energy ionizing radiation to destroy the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing. These damages often cause cells to die and be eliminated by the body.
In most cases, radiation therapy can be external, where a machine aims to target the tumors from outside of the body, or internal (brachytherapy), where a radioactive source is placed inside the body or near the tumor.
Common uses of Radiation Therapy
These treatments are often used to treat cancerous and some non-cancerous conditions, such as benign tumors, aiming to cure cancer, prevent it from returning, or slow its growth. Radiotherapy is often used to relieve cancer symptoms (palliative care), such as pain, bleeding, and any types of obstruction caused by the tumor.
In most cases, these treatments use high-energy radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, or particles, to damage and destroy cancer cells.
The common side effects of radiation therapy
Here are some of the common side effects of radiation therapy, these may include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Skin Irritation
- Dry and itchy skin
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Experiencing pain while swallowing
- Reduced appetite
- Burning sensation in the appetite or chest
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Frequent urination
Key differences between Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
Here’s the key differences between chemotherapy and radiation therapy, these may include:
Features | Chemotherapy | Radiation therapy |
|---|---|---|
Type of Treatment | Systemic treatment (affects the whole body) | Localized treatment (targets a specific area) |
Treatment delivery method | IV infusion, injection and Oral pills | External beam, Internal radiation (brachytherapy) |
Frequency | Cycles over weeks/months | Usually daily for weeks |
Side effects | Nausea, fatigue, hair loss, low blood count, infections | Skin irritations, fatigue, localized pain/swelling |
Used for | Cancer that spread or need systemic treatment | Localized tumors or symptom control |
Recovery | Varies by drug, may take weeks to months | Typically quicker, but depends on treatment area |
Can patients receive both treatments?
Most cancer treatment plans include both chemotherapy and radiation therapy, either at the same time or one treatment after the other. This is often known as chemoradiation. The combination of cancer treatments is often used to increase the treatment effectiveness, especially for cancers such as head and neck, cervical, or rectal cancer.
Which treatment approach is right for you?
Your oncology team might create a more personalised treatment plan that may include one or both cancer therapies. In some cases, doctors often use a combination of surgery, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies.
Here’s how you know which treatment approach is right for you:
- The type and stage of cancer
- Whether the cancer has spread into organs or distant lymph nodes
- Your overall health
- Your personal preferences and goals
Consult Today
Undergoing cancer treatments is not easy, but understanding your treatment can make the treatment journey a bit more manageable and peaceful. While chemotherapy and radiation therapy are powerful tools, each treatment option has its own role in cancer. While understanding how they differ and what to expect, you can feel more confident in making informed decisions about your cancer care.
At Oncare, we offer premium quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries at affordable price ranges with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center, and book an appointment with our cancer specialist today. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are mainly two types of radiation therapy,
- External radiation therapy
- Internal radiation therapy
Side effects may include:
- Faatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Skin irritation
- Dry, itchy skin
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Pain while swallowing
Chemo and radiation therapy are often used together in a cancer treatment to treat certain types of cancer. This type of treatment approach is often called concurrent therapy. This may be often recommended if your cancer has these characteristics. Including:
- It cannot be removed with surgery
- The cancer is likely to spread to other areas of the body
- Cancer is not responding to any one particular type of treatment
Here are some of the common side effects of chemotherapy, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Infection
- Mouth sores
- Throat sores
- Anemia
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Pain and numbness in the limbs
Book an Appointment
Related Blogs
Immunotherapy vs. Chemotherapy: Which Treatment Offers Better Results?
Discover more about Immunotherapy and chemotherapy, which treatment approach gives better results and what’s the key difference between chemotherapy vs. immunotherapy!
Is Chemotherapy Painful? Complete Guide for Patients and Families
Discover more about whether chemotherapy is painful and what can happen to patients, and how to manage the pain and should anyone be afraid of chemotherapy?
What Is ‘Chemo Brain’? Understanding Memory Issues During Chemotherapy
Discover more about chemo brain and its symptoms and causes, how doctors diagnose chemo brain, its treatment, risk factors, and when you should consult a doctor.
Neoadjuvant vs. Adjuvant Therapy: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
Learn more about Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, its key characteristics, side effects, benefits and differences and why it matters in cancer treatments
Coping with Chemotherapy-Induced Mouth Sores
Discover more about chemotherapy-induced mouth sores in cancer patients, why mouth sores happen during chemotherapy, and common symptoms of chemotherapy!
Why Is Immunotherapy So Expensive Compared to Chemotherapy?
Discover more about why immunotherapy is expensive when compared to chemotherapy, how it works, its types of immunotherapy, and factors influencing the costs!
How Chemotherapy Helps Treat Blood Cancer: A Beginner’s Guide
Discover how chemotherapy helps to treat blood cancer, types of chemotherapy, how chemotherapy works against blood cancer, and what to expect during chemotherapy!
Chemotherapy Side Effects: 8 Home Remedies to Support Your Recovery
Discover 8 effective home remedies to ease chemotherapy side effects and support your recovery naturally with simple tips for comfort and healing.
How Much Does Targeted Therapy Cost in India? Breaking Down the Numbers
Learn more about targeted therapy costs and major factors affecting them in India. Discover the cost differences of targeted therapy between other cancer hospitals in India and Oncare Cancer Center!
Can You Work During Chemotherapy? What You Need to Know
Learn more about how to work during chemo, how chemo affects patients, tips for balancing working during chemo, and signs you can’t continue working during chemo!
The True Cost of Chemotherapy in India: Beyond the Hospital Bills
Find out how much chemotherapy costs in India. Explore price ranges, affordable hospitals, and treatment options that suit your needs and budget.