That is the term applied to the many cancer-fighting drugs that are now available. The advantage of chemotherapy is that it can deliver cancer-fighting compounds to every part of the body, seeking out cancer cells that may not otherwise be apparent or easily reached. Some form of chemotherapy is now part of the treatment plan for nearly every major cancer - from breast cancer to bladder cancer to leukemia. Chemotherapy is given in tablets, via an intravenous line or occasionally through a spinal tap. Sometimes just one drug is used, although combinations are most common.
Chemotherapy is often mixed with surgery, radiation or both in an individual's treatment plan.
It is well-known that chemotherapy sometimes causes unpleasant side effects, like nausea, anemia, fatigue, and hair loss. But it is not so well known that there are new drugs and treatment plans that are cutting down on the intensity of those side effects. The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center has one of the premier chemotherapy programs in the country. Because the potential for improvement may outweigh the discomforts of any possible side effects, a cancer patient should not hesitate discussing risks and benefits with his or her cancer physician. This information is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.