Chemotherapy

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Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells. Most commonly, the term is used to refer to cancer-killing drugs. This article focuses on cancer chemotherapy.

Cancer chemotherapy; Cancer drug therapy; Cytotoxic chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs can be given by mouth or injection. Because the medicines travel through the bloodstream to the entire body, chemotherapy is considered a body-wide (systemic) treatment.

Chemotherapy may be used to:

• Cure the cancer
• Keep the cancer from spreading
• Ease symptoms (when the cancer cannot be cured)

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HOW CHEMOTHERAPY IS GIVEN

Depending on the type of cancer and where it is found, chemotherapy may be given in a number of different ways, including:

• Injections or shots into the muscles
• Into the veins (intravenous, or IV)
• Pills
• Shots into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord or brain

Different chemotherapy drugs may be given at the same time or after each other. Patients may receive radiation therapy before, after, or while they are getting chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is most often given in cycles. These cycles may last one day, several days, or a week or more. There will usually be a rest period when no chemotherapy is given between each cycle. A rest period may last for days, weeks, or months.

Often, the chemotherapy is given at a special clinic or at the hospital. Some people are able to receive chemotherapy in their home, even when the chemotherapy is given into the veins. Patients and their family members will receive special training.

When chemotherapy is given over a longer period of time, a thin catheter can be placed into a large vein near the heart. The catheter is placed during a minor surgical procedure. This is called a central line or a percutaneously inserted central catheter (PICC).

SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy medicines work best on cells that divide often to make new cells. This is typical of most cancer cells.

However, some normal cells -- including those found in the blood, hair, and the lining of the gastrointestinal tract -- also divide very quickly. Chemotherapy can also damage or kill these healthy cells.