Radiation therapy/chemotherapy is the most common type of treatment for cancer. It is a treatment where high power X ray is used and these rays are targeted towards the tumor to eradicate the cancer cells. In the process of chemotherapy treatment both healthy as well as cancerous cells are harmed but the purpose of the chemotherapy is to preserve the healthy cells and to erase the cancerous cells. However there are side effects that result from these treatments as the chemotherapy cannot differentiate between the normal and cancerous cells. Lot of improvements have been made in chemotherapy treatment but chemotherapy side effects are still not erased fully.

Benefits & Negatives of Chemotherapy

EBRT

Effects- in this treatment the rays are directed towards the cancer area only so few healthy cells are affected from the treatment. The time for treatment is just ten min in which only one minute is used for the radiation. It is a painless procedure.

Side effects- The side effects of this treatment are not lifelong, some of the general symptoms are frequent urination, difficulty in copulation, loose stools and rectal bleeding.

Radioactive seed implants

In this treatment a higher dose of radioactive treatment is prescribed but the side effects are not intense. The time taken for the radioactive seed implant is two hours, other than that other treatment time does not take that long.

One must wear condom during copulation to prevent the radiation seed to contaminate the partner’s body. There can be painful urination but not always but the person going through treatment must stay away at least 6 feet from pregnant lady and children during the first six months.

Hormone therapy

It can be prescribed from outside directly into the skin or into the muscle. It is injected once in every three to four months.

Erectile dysfunction, hot flashes and reduced sexual drive are some of the common side effects.

Cryotheraphy and Chemotherapy

The treatment used in this kind of therapy can be a positive as well as negative both at the same time. When the therapy is used it eradicates the cancer cells and reduces the possibility of surgery but it causes bladder muscle and rectum damage.

One must consult doctor to know more about the cancer treatments and their side effects.