What is the difference between radiation and chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy and radiation are two common, highly effective cancer treatment options. Learn more about treatment at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. read more

Below we summarize general information about two common cancer treatments to demonstrate the difference between chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy refers to a type of cancer treatment in which a patient is given drugs that are designed to kill cancer cells. read more

Radiation therapy differs from chemotherapy — it is used to treat just the tumor, so it affects only the part of the body that has cancer. Types of radiation therapy. Radiation can be administered in two ways: internally or externally: External: External beam radiation is delivered from a machine. It is very similar to receiving a chest X-ray. read more

Both radiation and chemotherapy are designed to treat the body and fight cancer cells in different ways. Also, various forms of cancer will respond differently to treatment. Our physicians will work closely with you to go over all of your options, and ensure that you get the best treatment for your unique needs. read more