What Is Chemotherapy Treatment? Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to common questions about chemotherapy treatment.
What Is Chemotherapy Treatment?
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs designed to destroy or prevent further
growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy treatment
is a systemic therapy
, meaning that the drugs flow through the bloodstream to nearly
every part of the body.
Many times, two or more chemotherapy drugs are used in combination to enhance their
effectiveness. Chemotherapy drugs can be used in combination with surgery
or radiation therapy
. Chemotherapy given before surgery and/or radiation is called
neoadjuvant chemotherapy
. Chemotherapy given with radiation or after surgery is
known as adjuvant chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy drugs can be used to stop cancer from spreading, slow the growth of
cancer, relieve cancer symptoms
.
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How Is Chemotherapy Given?
Chemotherapy drugs can be given in the following ways:
- By mouth in tablet, capsule or liquid form.
- Intravenously (often called I.V.) through a vein. A fine needle is inserted into
a vein in the hand or lower arm at the beginning of each treatment and removed at
the end of the treatment.
- Intravenously
through a catheter. A catheter is a soft, flexible tube that is placed
in a large vein and remains there as long as necessary for treatment. The catheter
usually is placed in the upper chest. Sometimes a catheter is attached to a "port"
- a tiny disk with an opening - that is placed under the skin.
- Topically
. Medication is applied directly onto the surface of the skin.
- By injection with a needle and syringe.
Get more answers to common chemotherapy treatment questions on our Chemotherapy
Side Effects: Frequently Asked Questions page.
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