The two most common forms of treatment for cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is a medication that can help fight cancer. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell s ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells. Often a combination of chemotherapy drugs is used to fight a specific cancer.
Chemotherapy interferes with fast-growing cancer cells, but it also affects some healthy cells.
Some chemotherapy may affect the function of these organs either during treatment or months to years after treatment. Some treatment may affect fertility. Risk for anemia, fatigue, infection, and bleeding are increased with bone marrow suppression. After treatment is completed, most children's hair will grow back. Texture of hair and fingernails may change.