Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment. It is often used to treat various forms of cancer, including certain forms of cancer that have spread to other parts of the body. Many people take chemotherapy with other cancer treatment types.¹

This article covers how chemotherapy is used to treat cancer. The goals and types of chemotherapy depend on your situation. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of chemotherapy.

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is also called “chemo.” Chemo uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment. This means that it reaches all parts of your body. It can kill cancer cells that have spread from the original tumor.^1,2

Doctors called “medical oncologists” oversee chemotherapy treatment. They have extra training in chemotherapy and cancer-fighting drugs.¹

How does chemotherapy treat cancer?

Chemotherapy blocks processes that cells use to grow and divide. Many chemo drugs make it hard for cells to copy DNA. Cells that grow fast get interrupted and destroyed. Cancer cells tend to grow fast. This is why chemotherapy kills cancer cells.^2,3

Doctors may use chemotherapy as the primary cancer treatment. The goal may be to destroy cancer cells completely. If cancer cannot be cured, the goal may be to slow cancer growth. This can make it possible to manage cancer, even if it does not go away completely.^1,2

Chemotherapy can make other treatments more effective. It can shrink a tumor before surgery or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy can also destroy cancer cells that remain after surgery or radiation therapy.^1,2

Chemotherapy might be used to improve symptoms and quality of life. This is called palliative therapy. For example, shrinking tumors with chemotherapy may reduce pain.^1,2

Types of chemotherapy

There are many types of chemotherapy. They work in different ways to kill fast-growing cells. Certain chemo drugs work better to treat specific cancer types. In some cases, a combination of different types of chemotherapy works best.³

Common types of chemo drugs include:³

• Alkylating agents – cisplatin, carboplatin, temozolomide, and others
• Antimetabolites – gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, and others
• Anti-tumor antibiotics – doxorubicin, epirubicin, and others
• Taxanes – docetaxel, paclitaxel, and others
• Topoisomerase inhibitors – irinotecan and others

Talk to your doctor about what type of chemotherapy is right for you. Cancer can develop resistance. This means that a chemotherapy drug stops working. If this happens, your doctor may switch you to a different drug.

What are the possible side effects of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy can harm healthy cells. It interferes with any fast-growing cells. Hair and skin cells grow fast. This is why hair loss is a common side effect.^1,4

Your doctor will try to give the right dose to avoid side effects. Side effects are still possible. Common side effects include:¹

• Anemia
• Appetite loss
• Bleeding
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Infection
• Nausea or vomiting

Many side effects go away after stopping treatment. Others may show up months or years later. Your doctor can talk to you about what to expect. If side effects are serious, they may switch you to a different drug.⁵

These are not all the possible side effects of chemotherapy. Talk to your doctor about what to expect when taking chemotherapy drugs. Call your doctor if you notice any changes that concern you.

Other things to know about chemotherapy

Before beginning chemotherapy to treat cancer, tell your doctor about all your health conditions. Talk to them about any other drugs, vitamins, or supplements you take. Your healthcare team will talk to you about preparing for chemotherapy.

Most chemotherapy drugs are given as an intravenous (IV) infusion or injection. Doctors usually insert a thin tube (catheter) into a vein. With the IV catheter in place, chemotherapy drugs are delivered into the bloodstream. Steroids and anti-nausea drugs may also be given through the IV. Some chemotherapy drugs may be given as an injection into a muscle (intramuscular), under the skin (subcutaneous), or taken by mouth in pill form.⁶

Many people get chemotherapy in cycles. Each cycle is a period of treatment followed by rest. Treatment schedules vary widely. Your schedule depends on your treatment goals and other factors.⁶

You may get chemotherapy at home, in a doctor’s office, an infusion center, or a hospital. The location depends on the type of chemotherapy and other factors. Some infusions last only a few minutes or hours. Others are given over days or weeks.⁶

After treatment, you will receive instructions from your healthcare team. This may include taking anti-nausea drugs and following specific diets. You will have follow-up appointments to monitor your health.⁶