How often you get chemo and how long your treatment lasts depend on the kind of cancer you have, the goals of the treatment, the drugs being used, and how your body responds to them. You may get treatments daily, weekly, or monthly, but they are usually given in on-and-off cycles. These breaks allow rest periods so that your body can build healthy new cells and regain its strength.

Many people wonder how long the actual drugs stay in their body and how they are removed. Most chemo drugs are broken down by your kidneys and liver and then removed from your body through your urine or stool. The time it takes your body to get rid of the drugs depends on many things including the type of chemo you get, other medicines you take, your age, and your kidney and liver functions. Your doctor will tell you if you will need to take any special precautions because of the drugs you are getting.

If your cancer returns, chemo may be used again. This time you may be given different drugs to relieve symptoms or to slow the cancer’s growth or spread. Side effects may be different, depending on the drug, the dose, and how it is given.

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