What is chemoradiotherapy?

Chemoradiotherapy, also known as chemoradiation, is a treatment combining the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is usually prescribed for patients diagnosed with cancer to stop the growth of cancer cells, prevent it from spreading and preventing it from recurrence. Chemotherapy is the use of cytotoxic drugs or anti -cancer drugs that are either injected into a vein or remove the mouth, to kill cancer cells. On the other hand, radiotherapy uses ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells and also to reduce the size of the tumor. Examples of malignancy, where chemoradiotherapy is often used, breast cancer, rectal cancer, esophageal cancer and lung cancer. Several studies have found that the use of both forms of therapy has provided an improvement in the patient's overall health and may even prolong life expectancy in some patients. Most chemoradiotherapy generally requires a series of treatment for several weeks or months. The method of treatment often depends on the type of cancer and the patient's health.

Chemoradiotherapy can also be administered before or after surgery. When served before the procedure, it is called neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. It is often done to reduce the size of a large tumor, thereby limiting the connection of other structures around the tumor during its removal. Postoperative chemoradiotherapy, administered after removal of the tumor, is usually done for the destruction of cancer cells that have not been completely removed during the procedure.

Definitive chemoradiotherapy is the treatment of cancer, which is usually given to patients with cancer who undergo surgery. Cancer is usually in early stages, such as Phase I or Phase II. Smaller tumors of the crumpling phase, often respond to such therapy. Advanced forms of cancer often require surgical removal, concurrent chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy itself or radiation therapy. This treatment is often prescribed oncologists or doctors,who specialize in the treatment of cancer patients.

There are several side effects of chemoradiotherapy. These include hair loss, anemia, nausea, ulcers and infections. After each treatment, patients also often feel tired and weak. Doctors commonly monitor patients after treatment to evaluate the answer and ensure that treatment works.