Alternative, Complementary Cancer Treatments Forum, Cancer Discussions, Cancer Treatment Options Forum - January 4th, 2010 - 7 Comments
Treating cancer with radiation therapy or chemotherapy?
What is the main difference between treating cancer with radiation therapy and treating cancer with chemotherapy?
a. radiation treats cells within the radiation field; chemotherapy treats cells throughout the body.
b. radiation is performed only externally; chemotherapy is performed only internally.
c. radiation is used before surgery; chemotherapy is used after surgery.
d. radiation is used on carcinomas; chemotherapy is used on sarcomas.
A. is correct. If the radiation field can not reach somewhere, it does not have any effect in that location. Chemotherapy works throughout the body, including places such as the bone marrow and digestive tract lining where you wish it wouldn’t.
B. is wrong because internal radioactive implants are sometimes used to treat some cancers. Real fun when the implant gets lost in the hospital.
C. is wrong as radiation and chemotherapy can both be used both before and after surgery.
D. is wrong because chemotherapy can be used on more than just sarcomas.
A
c is incorrect
The rest are ok. You can’t really compare them cuz they are totally different. They have nothing in common.
Cancer is a generic term for a couple hundred different diseases.
All four of your statements, A,B,C & D are either wrong or have major exceptions when applied across the board to all types of cancer.
A. certain chemotherapies are now directed and only affect malignant cells. A is true for some types of chemotherapy.
B. not true
C. not true all the time
D. not true all the time
A is correct, chemo can be directed to certain cells, but will treat these cells wherever they are found.
B is false, radiation can be internal and external.
C is false, radiation and chemo can both be used before and after surgery, mine were both after, my brother’s were both before.
D is false, I had both for small cell carcinoma.
Should be on the homework page…
A. I’ve had both.