Chemotherapyis the use of medicines or drugs to treat disease. Many times this treatment is called just "chemo." Surgery and radiation therapy remove, kill, or damage cancer cells in a certain area, but chemo works throughout the whole body. Chemo can kill cancer cells that have metastasized or spread to parts of the body far away from the primary (original) tumor.

What Is Chemotherapy and How Does It Work?

What Is the Goal of Chemotherapy?

Will Chemotherapy Be My Only Treatment for Cancer?

A Checklist of Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Nurse

Should I Get a Second Opinion?

Where Will I Get Chemotherapy?

How Often Will I Receive Chemotherapy Treatment? How Long Will It Last?

How Will the Chemotherapy Treatment Be Given to Me?

Does Chemotherapy Hurt?

What Are Clinical Trials?

Can I Take Other Medicines While I Am Getting Chemotherapy?

Can I Be Around My Family and Friends While I Am Getting Chemotherapy?

How Can I Protect Myself and Those I Live With While I Am Getting Chemo?

Will I Be Able to Work During Treatment?

How Will I Know If My Chemotherapy Is Working?

How Do I Give My Permission for this Treatment?

How Do I Pay for My Chemotherapy?

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