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Chemotherapy Principles
The thought of having chemotherapy frightens many people. Almost everyone has heard stories about someone who was "on chemo." But knowing what chemotherapy is, how it works, and what to expect can often help calm your fears. It can also give you a better sense of control over your cancer treatment and cancer experience.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy usually refers to drugs used for cancer treatment.
How Does Chemotherapy Work?
To understand how chemotherapy works as a treatment, it is helpful to understand the normal life cycle of a cell in the body.
What Are the Goals of Treatment With Chemotherapy?
Cure, control, and palliation are all possible goals for chemotherapy treatment.
What Are the Different Types of Chemotherapy Drugs?
Chemotherapy drugs are divided into several categories based on how they affect specific chemical substances within cancer cells.
Selecting Which Drugs to Use for Chemotherapy Treatments
Doctors take many factors into account when choosing which drugs to use for a chemotherapy regimen.
Planning Drug Doses and Schedules
Most chemotherapy drugs are strong medicines that have a fairly narrow range of safe and effective doses.
Where Are Chemotherapy Treatments Given?
In addition to considering what is most convenient to you, it is important to consider how the drugs are to be given.
What Are the Different Ways To Take Chemotherapy?
Drugs used in chemotherapy regimens can be given in many ways.
Safety Precautions
Many chemotherapy drugs are considered hazardous, so precautions should be taken.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
Side effects are different for each chemotherapy drug, and they also differ based on the dosage, the route the drug is given, and how the drug affects you individually.
What Questions Should I Ask About Chemotherapy?
Good communication with your cancer care team is important.
What's New in Chemotherapy Research?
Several exciting, new uses of chemotherapy and other agents hold even more promise for curing or controlling cancer.
Additional Resources
Find more sources of information about chemotherapy treatment.
References
Also in this area
Blood Product Donation and Transfusion  
Chemotherapy Principles  
Radiation Therapy Principles  
Related Tools & Topics
Learn About Cancer  
Treatment Topics and Resources  
Building a Support Network  
Circle Of Sharing: Personalize Your Cancer Information  
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