National Cancer Institute

u.s. Department 

of health and

human services National Institutes

of Health

Understanding

Chemotherapy

Read this pamphlet to learn 

about chemotherapy.

Take it with you to your doctor’s 

visit to fill in together. This will 

help you share what you learn 

with family and friends. 

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment 

that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. 

It is also called “chemo.”

Today, there are many different kinds 

of chemotherapy. So the way you feel 

during treatment may be very different 

from someone else.

Have all the blood tests your 

doctor orders. Blood tests 

help your doctor take care 

of your health.

“As soon as I got past the shock of being 

told I had cancer, I wanted to learn 

more. I had so many questions about 

the kind of cancer I have and how it’s 

treated. Now I’ve finished my first cycle 

of chemo, and I feel very hopeful.”
How can chemotherapy help me? 

Chemotherapy can be used to:

l Destroy cancer cells

l Stop cancer cells from spreading 

l Slow the growth of cancer cells

Chemotherapy can be given alone or with other 

treatments. It can help other treatments work 

better. For example, you may get chemotherapy 

before or after surgery or radiation therapy. Or 

you may get chemotherapy before a peripheral 

blood stem cell transplant.

Fill this section in with your doctor or nurse.

I am getting chemo to:

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Check with your doctor or nurse before 

you take any medicine, vitamins, or 

herbs. Some of these can change the 

way chemotherapy works. 

How is chemotherapy given?

Chemotherapy can be given in these forms:

An IV (intravenously)

A shot (injection) into a muscle or other part 

of your body

A pill or a liquid that you swallow

A cream that is rubbed on your skin

Other ways: _____________________________

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Fill this section in with your doctor or nurse. 

This is how I will get chemo:

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Understanding Chemotherapy
When will I get chemotherapy?

You may get treatment every day, every week, 

or every month. The treatment period is 

followed by a period of rest when you won’t get 

chemotherapy. This rest period gives your body 

a chance to build healthy new cells. 

Your doctor or nurse will talk with you about 

your treatment schedule. Ask for a written copy 

of it, as well.

Fill this section in with your doctor or nurse.

My chemo treatment schedule: 

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How will I feel during treatment? 

Each person and treatment is different, so it is 

not always possible to tell how you will feel. 

Some people feel well enough to keep their 

normal schedules at home or at work. Others 

feel more tired. 

Today many side effects can be prevented or 

controlled. Talk with your doctor or nurse to 

learn what side effects you may have and how 

to manage them. 

Fill this section in with your doctor or nurse.

Side effects I might have:

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Call the National Cancer Institute’s 

(NCI) Cancer Information Service 

at 1-800-422-6237 

to get the free

chemotherapy 

side effects 

fact sheets.

Understanding Chemotherapy
Understanding Chemotherapy

NIH Publication No. 08-6449

Printed August 2008

If you have more questions:

It’s normal to have a lot of questions. Write 

some down here to help you remember them 

when you talk with your doctor or nurse. 

Write your questions here: 

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Can you tell me more about 

clinical trials?

Cancer treatment clinical trials test new treatments 

to find better ways to treat cancer. By being in a 

clinical trial, you can try a new treatment that 

may, or may not, be better than the treatment 

already being given. Clinical trials are a treatment 

option for many people with cancer.

Clinical trials are research studies that 

involve people.

Learn about clinical trials for the type of cancer 

you have. Then decide if you would like to be in a 

clinical trial. Here are some questions you can ask:

l Are there clinical trials that I can take part in?

l Is there information that I can take home to 

learn more?

l How does the new treatment compare with 

the other treatment choices?

l What are the possible benefits, risks, or 

drawbacks of being in a clinical trial?

l How often will I come in for treatment or tests?

l Will I have to pay for the treatment or 

tests? What costs are covered by my health 

insurance? What costs are not covered?

Call NCI’s Cancer Information Service 

at 1-800-422-6237 or go online to 

www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials to learn 

more about clinical trials. You can talk 

to someone in English or Spanish.

Fill this section in with your doctor or nurse.

Who can I talk with to learn more?

Name: ____________________________________

Phone number: ___________________________

Free Services to Learn More

National Cancer Institute

Cancer Information Service

Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

TTY: 1-800-332-8615

Online: www.cancer.gov

Chat Online: www.cancer.gov/help