Cancer chemotherapy refers to a treatment of cancer through the use of various drugs. These drugs are used to kill, prevent and control cancer cells. According to the 2004 publication of Clinical Oncology, chemotherapy has a five-year survival success rate of 2 percent for all cancers.
How it Works
Chemotherapy is a group of drugs that can be administered in various ways to destroy cancer cells, prevent the spreading of cancer cells, and lessen the cancer symptoms by reducing the size of the malignant tumor.
Side Effects
In addition to treating cancer cells, chemotherapy can also kill healthy cells and cause numerous side effects. Some common side effects are loss of appetite, hair loss, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, and anemia.
In Conjunction
Chemotherapy is an option that can be used with other cancer treatments. Chemo can make radiation treatments and surgery more successful by destroying enough cancer cells before or after the procedures.
How it's Administered
Chemotherapy can be administered through a variety of methods depending on the severity of the cancer. The most common methods for administering chemo are through injections and an IV.
Frequency and Duration
The duration and frequency of chemotherapy depends on the type and severity of the cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, a typical cycle would be one week of chemo treatment followed by three weeks of rest.
