Is Chemotherapy the same as Radiation Therapy? Chemotherapy
targets cancer
cells throughout the body usually by using cytotoxic medications given intravenously. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams (like x-rays or protons) to target and kill cancer cells at a specific tumor site.
Is chemotherapy radiation harmful?
Chemotherapy drugs and radiation can destroy all types of healthy blood cells and harm the body’s production of new ones
. Low levels of red blood cells (the cells that carry oxygen) can lead to anemia, which causes fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, and a fast heartbeat.
Is radiation common after chemo?
Sometimes, doctors recommend radiation therapy as the first cancer treatment. Other times, people receive radiation therapy after surgery or therapies using medication, like chemotherapy.
Are chemo patients toxic to others?
Chemotherapy drugs are
considered to be hazardous to people
who handle them or come into contact with them. For patients, this means the drugs are strong enough to damage or kill cancer cells.
What type of radiation is used in chemotherapy?
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells (1).
X-rays, gamma rays, and charged particles
are types of radiation used for cancer treatment.
Does radiation shorten your life?
“Rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, are
more affected
by radiation therapy than normal cells. The body may respond to this damage with fibrosis or scarring, though this is generally a mild process and typically does not cause any long-term problems that substantially affect quality of life.”
What comes first chemo or radiation?
In the standard treatment sequence,
radiation therapy
doesn’t start until the chemotherapy regimen is done. The traditional external beam radiation therapy treatment schedule usually requires daily trips to the hospital or cancer center — usually 5 days a week for 4 to 6 weeks.
Is urine from chemo patients toxic?
She said chemotherapy drugs remain in a patient’s bodily fluids for up to 72 hours after therapy ends. This means the drugs are present in vomit, urine and excrement during that time. In extreme cases, it
can even lead to cancer
.
Does Chemo age your body?
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other cancer treatments
cause aging at a genetic and cellular level
, prompting DNA to start unraveling and cells to die off sooner than normal.
What should I avoid after radiation?
Foods to avoid or reduce during radiation therapy include
sodium (salt), added sugars, solid (saturated) fats, and an excess of alcohol
. Some salt is needed in all diets. Your doctor or dietitian can recommend how much salt you should consume based on your medical history.
How long does it take to recover from radiation and chemo?
Most people say it takes
6 to 12 months
after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again. Read the resource Managing Cognitive Changes: Information for Cancer Survivors for more information about managing chemo brain.
How long after chemo does radiation start?
When chemotherapy is planned, radiation usually starts
three to four weeks after chemotherapy is finished
. You will likely have radiation therapy as an outpatient at a hospital or other treatment facility.
Do tumors grow back after radiation?
Normal cells close to the cancer can also become damaged by radiation, but
most recover and go back to working normally
. If radiotherapy doesn’t kill all of the cancer cells, they will regrow at some point in the future.
If you or a family member is currently receiving chemotherapy, whether in the clinic or at home, it is strongly recommended that precautions be followed in order to keep household members safe:
Patients may use the toilet as usual, but close the lid and flush twice
.
Can you kiss on chemo?
Kissing is a wonderful way to maintain closeness with those you love and is usually okay. However, during chemotherapy and for a short time afterward,
avoid open-mouth kissing where saliva is exchanged
because your saliva may contain chemotherapy drugs.
Can you sleep with someone having chemotherapy?
Some cancer patients who receive radiation therapy worry that their bodies will become “radioactive” after they receive radiation treatment. Their concern is that close physical contact with others could expose them to radiation. “The general answer to this concern is that physical contact is
fine
,” Snyder says.
