Chemotherapy vs. Radiation Therapy: Key Differences Every Patient Should Know

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

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. 

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!