Cancer is the result of uninhibited cell division. If the cancer cells can be prevented from dividing then the cancer will not grow. Normal cells also must divide to replace those lost through wear and tear as well as to repair tissue injuries. These normal cells are also affected by the chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is also referred to as cyto-toxic therapy.
All chemotherapeutic agents have side effects.
Many have specific side effects characteristic of that drug. Some have major toxicity to the heart, some to the kidneys, and some to the nerves. Almost all are toxic to the bone marrow which is responsible for the production of the white and the red blood cells and the platelets. The platelets are necessary to prevent bleeding. Those chemotherapeutic agents that are toxic to bone marrow cause a drop in the white cell count after each course of chemotherapy.