sequence of therapies

JuniperCat

Does anyone know why one is supposed to have chemo before having radiation? Are there studies that show why this sequence is preferred? Many thanks!

Kicks

Chemo is systemtic - it attacks cells throughout the body even if not enough/big enough to show up on Scans. Rads hit the area (and surroundong area) that it was know that cancer was present. Some will also have 'boost' rads where the rads more narrowly hit the exact site of the cancer. Not all will do 'boosts'.

Chemo can also be done in different order - neoadjuvant (pre-surgery), adjuvant (post surgery) or both neoadjuvant and adjuvant.

JuniperCat

thank you kicks!!