Kemoradioterápia

Kemoradioterápia refers to the combined use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat cancer. This approach leverages the strengths of both modalities to achieve a more effective outcome than either treatment alone. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells, while radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy them. When used together, chemotherapy can make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of the radiation treatment and allowing for lower doses to be used. This can sometimes lead to fewer side effects.

The decision to use kemoradioterápia is based on the type, stage, and location of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. It is often employed in the treatment of various cancers, including those of the head and neck, esophagus, lung, cervix, and anus. The specific drugs used in chemotherapy and the dosage and duration of radiation therapy are carefully selected by a multidisciplinary team of oncologists.

Kemoradioterápia can be administered in different sequences. It can be given concurrently, meaning chemotherapy and radiation therapy are administered at the same time. Alternatively, it can be given sequentially, with one treatment followed by the other. The potential side effects are a combination of those associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, and low blood cell counts. Doctors carefully monitor patients to manage these side effects and adjust treatment as needed.