As breast cancer worsens in the body, it may take on several names. Advanced breast cancer, late-stage breast cancer, and metastatic breast cancer are all terms used to describe this point.
The real question is: what can you do about it?
While many patients with breast cancer may go under surgery to remove the cancer, surgery alone does not guarantee the cancer is completely gone. Especially if the cancer has metastasized, or spread to other parts of the body, such as vital organs.
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This is where chemotherapy and radiation can come into play.
Radiation vs Chemo - The Main Differences
You’ve no doubt heard the terms, but what do they really mean? Oftentimes, people talk about these treatments as if they’re the same, but they’re actually quite different.
For starters, chemotherapy is a medication that is given orally or through the veins. Radiation, by contrast, delivers a high dose of energy right into the tumor to kill the cancer cells and shrink it.
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Is Radiation Safer Than Chemo?
One of the well-known side effects of chemo is hair loss. This happens because chemo can unintentionally target cells that aren’t cancerous, including cells in your hair, bones, nails, intestines, and other areas.
On the other hand, radiation usually only targets certain areas in your body. It is delivered either by a machine outside your body, by a substance implanted in your body, or by a pill or liquid taken by mouth or through your veins.
In some cases, radiation and chemo are used at the same time, especially when surgery is not an option and the cancer has metastasized throughout the body. Your particular cancer type, tumor size, and other factors will impact the best course of treatment. That said, radiation and chemo will most certainly have side effects.
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Side Effects from Chemo and Radiation
Anticipating side effects and complications will be an important part of your treatment. Your doctor can help you understand the pros and cons of each. As you begin to treat your metastatic breast cancer, you may experience the following side effects from chemo and radiation.
Chemo:
- Fatigue
- Infections
- Hair loss
- Nausea/vomiting
- Pain/discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Sores
Radiation:
- Nausea/Vomiting/Cramps
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Skin issues
In rare cases, patients may experience more severe problems, such as immune dysfunction, secondary infections, and even other cancers. Of course, health issues are always a possibility with any procedure, so don’t let potential rare side effects scare you.
Have a Plan - You Can Do This!
The important thing to do, no matter what treatment plan you take, is to rest. Herbal teas are good for staying hydrated, and if possible, have friends and family help you with preparing meals. Your doctors can also prescribe you nausea medication to help with those yucky feelings!
It should be noted that while systemic reactions such as hair loss and nausea are less common with radiation, they still can occur. This happens because radiation is more localized to specific areas of cancer. In some cases, the systemic nature of chemo is preferred when the cancer has spread more widely. In other cases, radiation is the most practical treatment.
Again, it all depends on your needs, cancer type, cancer progression, and your preferences. You may also even use other drugs, like immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Part of treating advanced breast cancer is taking a multifaceted approach that shrinks tumors and destroys those harmful cells.
With a healthy outlook, appropriate planning, and a good medical team at your side, you can enjoy a more normal, quality life with metastatic breast cancer.
