You've been told you have cancer. You've studied your treatment options and you and your doctor have agreed that chemotherapy is your best choice. Now you may have questions about your treatment.

The American Cancer Society knows you may have concerns about chemotherapy, and we have answers to your questions. Remember that, along with reading about your treatment, you can also count on your doctor and nurse to answer your questions.

At the end of this document you will find a glossary that gives definitions of some of the words and terms used by your health care team. The words that are in italic type the first time they are used are also in the glossary. You can use the glossary to help you better understand the talks you have with your health care team. Open and honest talks with your cancer care team are the best way to understand what is going on with you, your body, and the cancer.

General Questions and Answers About Chemotherapy

Managing Side Effects

Glossary of Chemotherapy Terms

Last Medical Review: 08/28/2008
Last Revised: 09/11/2008