Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer
Chemotherapy or “chemo” is the use of any medicine to treat any disease and can work throughout the whole body. Your healthcare team may use chemo alone or with other therapies as part of your treatment to attack cancerous cells.
Types of chemotherapy
Cancer-treating chemotherapy consists of more than 100 drugs. These are
used by themselves or combined with other medicines or therapies. The
drugs vary by chemical composition, dosage, administration, how well they
treat different types of cancer, and side effects.
How does chemotherapy work against cancer?
The three uses for chemo in cancer treatment are to cure cancer, control
cancer, and soothe pain. The medicine targets cells while they are forming
new cells. Your healthcare team’s knowledge of the different types
of and uses for chemotherapy helps them determine which drugs should work
for your cancer, and in what doses.
How is chemo administered?
Depending on the type of cancer you have and the treatment you are receiving,
your chemo may be taken orally, injected by needle, IV, port or catheter,
through an implantable pump, or even topically.
Where do you go for this treatment?
Most forms of chemo are administered in your oncologist’s office,
clinic or an
infusion center. Be sure to talk to your healthcare team about where you will receive chemo.
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Pavani Ellipeddi, MDHematology, Hematology Oncology, Medical Oncology
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Michael J. Castine, MDHematology, Hematology Oncology, Medical Oncology
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Gerald P. Miletello, MDHematology, Hematology Oncology, Immunotherapy, Medical Oncology
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M. Patrick Stagg, MDHematology, Hospital Medicine, Medical Oncology
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Lauren Juneja, MDHematology Oncology, Medical Oncology
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Christopher M. McCanless, MDHematology, Hematology Oncology, Medical Oncology
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Sanjay Juneja, MDHematology Oncology, Medical Oncology