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.
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.
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