There are various treatments for cancer. These include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and biotherapy. One or more of these treatments may be used to treat your cancer. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs, usually more than one drug is used to treat your specific cancer. Chemotherapy is intended to kill cancer cells that may or may not be undetectable. Unfortunately, chemotherapy will not only kill cancer cells, but will also kill any normal cells that are rapidly multiplying. Normal cells differ from cancer cells by their capacity to repair themselves. Therefore, chemotherapy will theoretically kill cancer cells and eliminate them to a level that your own immune system will destroy what is remaining.

Chemotherapy will be used anytime there is known or suspected cancer cells in the body's circulation or microcirculation.

The goals of chemotherapy can be for cure, control, or palliation. Cure would mean that the cancer treatments, which include chemotherapy, would eliminate all of your cancer and it would not return.

A second goal may be control of the cancer. Chemotherapy would be used to keep the cancer from spreading. It would not eliminate the cancer all together, but it can keep the cancer "in remission" for a period of time.

The last role of chemotherapy could be for palliation. This means that chemotherapy is used to prevent symptoms from occurring and is used to help one feel more "comfortable: although the cancer may still progress.

Chemotherapy is a "systemic" therapy. This means that the drugs will go throughout your body and theoretically kill and cancer cells within your body. Certain chemotherapy drugs are known to kill certain types of cancer cells. Therefore, your chemotherapy drugs are selected with your specific cancer in mind.

Most chemotherapy is given intravenously (IV). This means it is given directly into your blood system. This allows the drugs to be rapidly absorbed and begin to work on your cancer quickly. Sometimes chemotherapy can be given by other ways, such as in a pill form. Your doctor or nurse will explain the way in which your drugs are to be given to you.

The length of your treatment will depend on the type of drugs you are receiving, the combination of drugs and your tolerance of the drugs. Usually treatments last from one to three hours. However some treatments may be as long as five hours.

Side effects from cancer chemotherapy drug will depend on the specific drugs, the dose of drugs and how you respond to the drugs. No two people experience the same side effects.

Specific information regarding side effects of your treatment will be provided to you by our cancer center staff. It is important to know that most side effects can be managed or eliminated, Most people are able to continue with their normal routines including work with some modification. Again your individual treatment plan and potential side effects will be discussed with you.

Remember, most side effects are manageable, thanks to our increased knowledge of how to deal with them. We will continue to work with you throughout your cancer treatments to make them safe, effective and create as little interruption to your life as possible. Your input into your treatments and how you are feeling is essential in helping you feel your best. Please let us know any questions, concerns or symptoms you are experiencing.

We are here to help!