Depending on the type of cancer and its stage of development, chemo can be used to:

• cure the cancer
• keep the cancer from spreading
• slow the cancer's growth
• kill cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body from the original tumor
• relieve symptoms caused by cancer

Your doctor will talk to you about the goal of your chemo before you start treatment.

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