what are the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment?

Full Answer

Which was worse for You, chemo or radiation?

if you have the strength and courage to do the surgery, the chemo and radiation will be a cake walk. if you ask me, the radiation was the worst. there are lots of meds out there to help with any side effects you might have with the chemo, so dont be afraid to let your doc know if there is something that is bothering you.

What is the difference between chemotherapy and radiation?

There are three types of radiation therapy used to treat cancer:

• External beam radiation. This method uses beams of radiation from a machine that focuses directly on the site of your tumor.
• Internal radiation. Also called brachytherapy, this method uses radiation (either liquid or solid) that’s placed inside your body near where the tumor is.
• Systemic radiation. ...

What are the long - term effects of radiation treatment?

• your skin might look darker than it was before in the treated area – as if it is suntanned
• your skin in the treatment area will always be slightly more sensitive to the sun
• your skin might feel different to touch
• your hair might grow back a different colour or texture in the treatment area
• you might have permanent hair loss within the treated area

More items...

What are the negative effects of radiation therapy?

• Diarrhea
• Hair loss in the treatment area
• Mouth changes such as soreness, dryness and difficulty swallowing (if radiation to head and neck area)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sexual impact (tenderness and soreness of genital organs if radiation to this area)
• Blood count changes

What is the most common side effect seen from chemotherapy radiation treatments?

The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area. Late side effects can take months or even years to develop.

How long does it take to recover from chemo and radiation treatment?

The rule of thumb I usually tell my patients is that it takes about two months of recovery time for every one month of treatment before energy will return to a baseline. Everyone is different but at least this gives you a ballpark.

Which has worse side effects chemotherapy or radiation?

Radiation therapy involves giving high doses of radiation beams directly into a tumor. The radiation beams change the DNA makeup of the tumor, causing it to shrink or die. This type of cancer treatment has fewer side effects than chemotherapy since it only targets one area of the body.

What are 3 side effects of cancer treatments?

Side Effects of Cancer TreatmentAnemia.Appetite Loss.Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia)Constipation.Delirium.Diarrhea.Edema (Swelling)Fatigue.More items...

How many days after chemo Do you feel sick?

Acute nausea and vomiting happens within a few minutes to a few hours after you get chemo. It is usually worst during the first 4 to 6 hours after treatment and goes away within 24 hours. Delayed nausea and vomiting usually does not start until 24 hours or more after you get chemo. It can last for several days.

What should you not do after chemo?

9 things to avoid during chemotherapy treatmentContact with body fluids after treatment. ... Overextending yourself. ... Infections. ... Large meals. ... Raw or undercooked foods. ... Hard, acidic, or spicy foods. ... Frequent or heavy alcohol consumption. ... Smoking.More items...•

What are 5 harmful effects of radiation?

Here are a few common health effects or harmful effects of radiation on the human body.Hair. Loss of hair fall occurs when exposure to radiation is higher than 200 rems.Heart and Brain. Intense exposure to radiation from 1000 to 5000 rems will affect the functioning of the heart. ... Thyroid. ... Blood System. ... Reproductive Tract.

What can you not do during radiation treatment?

Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It's also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.

How many rounds of chemo is normal?

During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.

Can cancer spread while on chemo?

While chemotherapy is one of the oldest and most successful ways of treating cancer, it doesn't always work. So, yes, cancer can spread during chemotherapy. Spreading could mean the tumor keeps growing, or that the original tumor shrinks, but cancer metastasizes, forming tumors in other areas of the body.

What is the life expectancy after chemotherapy?

During the 3 decades, the proportion of survivors treated with chemotherapy alone increased from 18% in 1970-1979 to 54% in 1990-1999, and the life expectancy gap in this chemotherapy-alone group decreased from 11.0 years (95% UI, 9.0-13.1 years) to 6.0 years (95% UI, 4.5-7.6 years).

Do the side effects of chemo get worse with each treatment?

The effects of chemo are cumulative. They get worse with each cycle. My doctors warned me: Each infusion will get harder. Each cycle, expect to feel weaker.

What happens when you take radiation and chemotherapy?

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.

What are the long term side effects of chemo?

These long-term side effects (called late effects) can include damage to the heart, lungs, brain, nerves, kidneys, thyroid gland, or reproductive organs. In some cases, kids and teens who've had some types of chemotherapy have a higher risk of developing a second type of cancer later in life.

What is the most common type of cancer treatment?

Chemotherapy (or "chemo") and radiation therapy are the two most common types of cancer treatment. They work by destroying these fast-growing cells. But other types of fast-growing healthy cells (such as blood and hair cells) also can be damaged along with cancer cells, causing adverse reactions, or side effects.

What are the side effects of cancer treatment?

Side effects can range from tiredness and flu-like symptoms to hair loss and blood clotting problems. Because it's hard for doctors to predict how the body will react, a child who is being treated for cancer is closely monitored. Doctors weigh the amount and severity of side effects against the benefits of treatments.

What is cancer cell?

What Is Cancer? Cancer happens when cells divide and multiply much faster than most normal cells. Uncontrolled cell growth can lead to masses of cancer cells called tumors, or to a situation where healthy cells are crowded out and can no longer do their jobs efficiently.

Can chemo cause numbness in hands?

Some chemo drugs cause headaches, muscle pains, stomach pains, or even temporary nerve damage, which can result in burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands and feet. If this happens, your doctor can prescribe medicines that can help.

Is chemotherapy the same as radiation?

Chemo and radiation cause similar side effects. Chemo's side effects depend on the type of drug used, the dosage, and a child's overall health. These effects are more likely to affect the whole body. Radiation's side effects, on the other hand, tend to affect the area being treated. But they do still depend on the dose of radiation given, ...

How long does it take for a person to recover from radiation?

Skin changes. Urinary and bladder changes. Healthy cells that are damaged during radiation treatment usually recover within a few months after treatment is over. But sometimes people may have side effects that do not improve. Other side effects may show up months or years after radiation therapy is over.

Does radiation make you tired?

People feel fatigue in different ways and you may feel more or less fatigue than someone else who is getting the same amount of radiation therapy to the same part of the body. Other radiation therapy side effects you may have depend on the part of the body that is treated.

Does radiation therapy cause cancer?

Radiation Therapy Side Effects. Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out.

What happens when you take radiation and chemotherapy?

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.

What are the long term side effects of chemo?

These long-term side effects (called late effects) can include damage to the heart, lungs, brain, nerves, kidneys, thyroid gland, or reproductive organs. In some cases, kids and teens who've had some types of chemotherapy have a higher risk of developing a second type of cancer later in life.

What is the most common type of cancer treatment?

Chemotherapy (or "chemo") and radiation therapy are the two most common types of cancer treatment. They work by destroying these fast-growing cells. But other types of fast-growing healthy cells (such as blood and hair cells) also can be damaged along with cancer cells, causing adverse reactions, or side effects.

What are the side effects of cancer treatment?

Side effects can range from tiredness and flu-like symptoms to hair loss and blood clotting problems. Because it's hard for doctors to predict how the body will react, a child who is being treated for cancer is closely monitored. Doctors weigh the amount and severity of side effects against the benefits of treatments.

What is cancer cell?

What Is Cancer? Cancer happens when cells divide and multiply much faster than most normal cells. Uncontrolled cell growth can lead to masses of cancer cells called tumors, or to a situation where healthy cells are crowded out and can no longer do their jobs efficiently.

Can chemo cause numbness in hands?

Some chemo drugs cause headaches, muscle pains, stomach pains, or even temporary nerve damage, which can result in burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands and feet. If this happens, your doctor can prescribe medicines that can help.

Is chemotherapy the same as radiation?

Chemo and radiation cause similar side effects. Chemo's side effects depend on the type of drug used, the dosage, and a child's overall health. These effects are more likely to affect the whole body. Radiation's side effects, on the other hand, tend to affect the area being treated. But they do still depend on the dose of radiation given, ...

What are the side effects of radiation?

When I set out to create this resource, I knew it had to be in-depth and cover as many side effects as possible. And now I’m thrilled to say that it covers 13 of the most common radiation and chemotherapy side effects: 1 Nausea 2 Vomiting 3 Diarrhea 4 Constipation 5 Weight loss 6 Appetite loss and taste changes 7 Dry mouth 8 Sore mouth and mouth sores 9 Anxiety 10 Fatigue 11 Cold sensitivity 12 Neuropathy 13 Skin irritation

What is Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips?

My first book, Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips, covers everything from choosing an oncologist and building an all-star medical team, to navigating your social life and your kitchen post-diagnosis. It’s a must-have resource for patients, thrivers, survivors and caregivers alike— pick it up here!

What is the Cancer Therapies Toolkit?

The Cancer Therapies Toolkit is the most extensive, in-depth resource on cancer I’ve ever given away for free. Please share it with someone who might benefit from this knowledge. Together we can help people all over the world find some relief.

Can grapefruit juice be used for chemo?

Steer clear of this one during your treatment as it may decrease the effectiveness of chemo drugs. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may also be problematic as they can either increase or decrease the absorption of medications taken by mouth. Check with your doc to see if you can include grapefruit in your diet.

Does copper help with cancer?

And finally, supplemental copper can result in angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) to a cancerous lesion. Work with your integrative doc if you’re currently taking supplemental copper, especially if you’re taking an angiogenesis inhibitor as part of your chemotherapy regimen.

Does eating healthy during radiation therapy help cancer?

Next up, I know that some folks in our community are concerned that eating healthy during chemotherapy and radiation therapy will preserve cancer cell s. There’s also a misconception that the antioxidants found in fruits and veggies may prevent chemo drugs from effectively killing off cancer cells. Several scientific reviews have found that antioxidant-rich diets not only enhance treatment outcomes, but actually increase survival time and tumor responses if consumed during therapies (more in this article ). So, don’t be afraid to load up on those plant foods—they’ll help you now and will support better health in the long run!

How long does radiation side effects last?

Remember that the type of radiation side effects you might have depends on the prescribed dose and schedule. Most side effects go away within a few months of ending treatment. Some side effects may continue after treatment ends because it takes time for the healthy cells to recover from radiation. Side effects might limit your ability ...

How long does it take for radiation to cause side effects?

Late side effects can take months or even years to develop. They can occur in any normal tissue in the body that has received radiation. The risk of late side effects depends on the area treated as well as the radiation dose that was used. Careful treatment planning can help avoid serious long-term side effects.

How long does it take for radiation to show up in the brain?

Radiation to the brain can also have side effects that show up later – usually from 6 months to many years after treatment ends. These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss, stroke-like symptoms, and poor brain function.

What is the most common drug used for radiation therapy?

The one most commonly used today is amifostine. This drug may be used in people with head and neck cancer to reduce the mouth problems caused by radiation therapy. Not all doctors agree on how these drugs should be used in radiation therapy. These drugs have their own side effects, too, so be sure you understand what to look for.

What is the best treatment for radiation?

One way to reduce side effects is by using radioprotective drugs, but these are only used for certain types of radiation given to certain parts of the body. These drugs are given before radiation treatment to protect certain normal tissues in the treatment area. The one most commonly used today is amifostine. This drug may be used in people with head and neck cancer to reduce the mouth problems caused by radiation therapy.

What are the side effects of brachytherapy?

If your treatment includes brachytherapy (internal radiation implants), you might notice breast tenderness, tightness, redness, and bruising. You may also have some of the same side effects that happen with external radiation treatment.

How to take care of your mouth during radiation?

Here are some tips that may help you manage mouth problems: Avoid spicy and rough foods, such as raw vegetables, dry crackers, and nuts.

Learn more about each treatment, their differences, side effects, and more

Jennifer Welsh is a Connecticut-based science writer and editor with over ten years of experience under her belt. She’s previously worked and written for WIRED Science, The Scientist, Discover Magazine, LiveScience, and Business Insider.

What Is Chemotherapy?

One of the oldest treatments for cancer is chemotherapy, in which drugs are given through an intravenous (IV) injection or orally. Chemotherapy can have effects system-wide, which means it impacts your whole body. 1

What Is Radiation?

Radiation is a high-energy invisible light wave. Because it has a lot of energy, it can be directed at cancer cells to damage their genetic material, ultimately killing them. 2

Benefits and Risks of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is an essential treatment option for many cancers. The drugs used in chemotherapy are often given so that they can reach and kill cancer cells system-wide, outside of the primary tumor your doctor may have discovered.

Which Is Harder on the Body: Chemo or Radiation?

It is difficult to say what cancer therapy will be more difficult for your body to handle. Different types and dosages of both chemotherapy and radiation will have different effects.

Can Chemo and Radiation Be Used Together to Treat Cancer?

Some cancers can be treated with just radiation. These are most often cancers caught early—before they've grown large or started to spread.

Managing the Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

Many of the side effects of cancer treatment can be effectively managed or lessened. Palliative care (treatment to reduce the burden of symptoms) is an important part of any cancer treatment plan.

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

Some side effects of chemotherapy include: nausea and vomiting. hair loss. fatig u e. infection. mouth or throat sores. anemia. diarrhea.

How does chemo work?

How chemotherapy works. Chemotherapy medications are designed to destroy cells in the body that divide rapidly — specifically, cancer cells. However, there are cells in other parts of your body that also divide rapidly but aren’t cancer cells. Examples include the cells in your:

How does radiation therapy work?

Radiation therapy involves giving high doses of radiation beams directly into a tumor. The radiation beams change the DNA makeup of the tumor, causing it to shrink or die. This type of cancer treatment has fewer side effects than chemotherapy since it only targets one area of the body.

How is chemo delivered?

Chemotherapy is delivered through an infusion into a vein or medication port, or it can be taken orally.

How to deal with side effects of cancer?

Here are some tips to cope with the side effects of cancer treatments: Ask your doctor about medications you can take to treat nausea and vomiting. Place an alcohol pad on the bridge of your nose if you’re experiencing nausea. Eat popsicles to ease the pain from mouth sores.

What is the best treatment for cancer?

However, there are many treatment options that work to fight off cancer cells and prevent them from spreading. Chemotherapy and radiation are among the most effective treatments for most types of cancer. Although they have the same goals, there are key differences between the two types ...

What is the primary method of destroying a tumor?

Radiation may be used as the primary method of treating and destroying a tumor, but it can also be used: to shrink a tumor before removing it with surgery. to kill any remaining cancer cells after a surgery. as part of a combined treatment approach with chemotherapy.