Difference between Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy

Cancer is a difficult disease to treat, in fact, many people have died and will die from it. It is a disease caused by both a person’s lifestyle and their genes. The consumption of tobacco, an inadequate diet, infections, radiation, family inheritance and pollution are the main causes of cancer.  Difference between Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy

Today there are a large number of medications and treatments available for cancer patients. The most used are radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Cancer patients today have more hope for recovery and pain relief. Some are even able to lead full lives with the help of treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

RADIOTHERAPY

Radiation therapy or radiation oncology is a cancer treatment that uses ionizing radiation to control cancer cells. It is used to prepare patients for bone marrow transplants and for the relief and therapeutic treatment of most types of cancer. It can be combined with chemotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.

It is best for cancerous tumors, and treatment depends on the type, location, and general health of the patient. Leukemia, lymphomas, and germ cell tumors respond well to radiation therapy. To minimize the exposure of healthy cells to radiation, the source that emits it is placed directly next to the cancerous area, especially in the breasts, prostate or other organs.

For larger tumors, chemotherapy is used before radiation therapy, although the patient may also decide to have surgery first. By using some drugs in conjunction with this treatment, a better disease response is sometimes achieved.

CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that is done through the use of chemicals. Kill cancer cells through the use of drugs. Most cancer cells divide rapidly and chemotherapy destroys these cells, but the downside of this treatment is that it also kills healthy cells in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles; As a result, it turns out that among the side effects are hair loss, inflammation of the digestive tract and a decrease in the production of blood cells.

It was first discovered during World War II, when some people were exposed to mustard gas and had a drop in their white blood cell count afterward. The drug was then developed and administered to lymphoma patients, who showed significant improvements. This paved the way for the development of other chemotherapy drugs to treat other types of cancer.

Key differences between radiation and chemotherapy

1. Radiation therapy treats cancer using radiation beams, while chemotherapy uses drugs or medications.
2. Radiation therapy is used more to treat small tumors, while chemotherapy is used to treat larger tumors.

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