A machine, such as a linear accelerator or cobalt apparatus, is used to administer the radiation. External beam radiation therapy uses radiation from outside the body to focus on the cancer and is, therefore, not the primary treatment for cancer that may have spread. Radiation therapy is a type of localized treatment, which means that it affects only a specific area of the groin. Chemotherapy - Drugs are administered by mouth or injection to kill the cancer cells. The drugs enter the blood stream and can, therefore, reach areas of the body where the cancer may have spread.
Chemotherapy is a type of generalized treatment, which means that it affects all areas of the body.
Clinical Trials - There are always new experimental treatments being tested that often have promising results. The effectiveness and side effects of clinical trials are not always known, but they can sometimes offer hope of survival especially for end stage cancer patients. Consult your physician or the Rhode Island Cancer Council to find out what clinical trials are going on near you and if you are eligible. Certain side effects have been associated with different types of treatments. Each patient's response to treatment will be different but there are some common effects.