What is the difference between chemotherapy and radiation therapy?
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are two methods of cancer treatment that destroys cancer cells by damage to their DNA. Although both chemotherapy and radiation therapy are effective treatment of cancer, they are used in different situations and have different side effects. Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer throughout the body by means of drugs injected into the bloodstream, while radiation therapy can target tumors located in specific areas of the body. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be used to treat the same cancer, or only one of these treatment procedures could be used depending on the type of cancer and its progression. For example, localized prostate cancer can only require radiation treatment, and only chemotherapy could be used to treat leukemia, but both chemotherapy and radiation therapy could be used to treat the tumor.
Eviving drugs that usually target cells in replication of their DNA. Cancer cells are replicated faster than healthy cells, so the attacking cells that are in the replication process is one way to kill cancer cells while damaging healthy cells as much as possible. Chemotherapy is often used in cycles using different drugs, so the maximum number of cancer cells can be killed while trying to give healthy tissue a chance to recover from the effects of drugs. The side effects of chemotherapy are caused by drugs unintentionally killing these healthy cells, such as those in the bone marrow that produce white and red blood cells; cells in the stomach and intestines; and hair follicles cells. When these tissues are damaged, they can lead to a weakened immune system, anemia, nausea, vomiting and hair loss.
Radiation therapy is a procedure used by X -rays, gamma rays and radioactive particles for target tumors resulting from localized cancer. This form of treatment often uses strThe drawbar to direct high -frequency radioactive waves towards the tumors, or this could include a small amount of radioactive substances injected near cancer cells. After the radiation is inside these cells, they form free radicals to damage DNA or directly change the structure of their DNA; In both cases, the result is that cells whose DNA is sufficiently damaged is disrupted by the replication process and they die. The use of radiation therapy causes damage to healthy tissue in the vicinity, especially into cells that are rapidly divided. Side effects of radiation therapy usually include skin irritation and scarring; Possible hair loss, urine problems or stomach problems depending on the place of treatment; As well as possible long -term side effects such as fibrosis, amnesia and fertility.