The most common method of radiation therapy is known as external beam radiation or teletherapy . With this method, a beam from a machine outside the body is focused in the area of the cancer. Treatment usually involves receiving teletherapy for five days a week for about six weeks. The side effects for this method of radiation therapy include a skin reaction like a sunburn on the outside of the skin, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. When delivered to the pelvis, premature menopause and problems with urination may also occur.
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to fight the disease.
Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, which means the anti-cancer drugs travel through the bloodstream, reaching all parts of the body. In general, chemotherapy drugs affect rapidly dividing cells. The drugs kill cancer cells, but also affect other cells in the body, like cells in hair roots and cells that line the digestive tract. As a result, chemotherapy can cause hair loss, nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores. Doctors can suggest diet changes or medication to ease these problems, and most side effects of chemotherapy gradually disappear during the recovery period or after treatment stops.