Unlike surgery and radiation, chemotherapy treats cancer? with? cancer-killing drugs.? Because chemotherapy is sent through the blood to all parts of the body,? the drugs are able to reach cancer cells? that may have spread (metastasized)? to? different parts of the body. Chemotherapy may be used to:

• Get rid of? cancer by killing cancer cells
• Control the growth and spread of? cancer to help patients live longer
• Lessen? the symptoms of cancer (palliative therapy)

Types of Chemotherapy

Today, there are more than 100 drugs that can be used for chemotherapy, either alone, or in combination with other drugs or treatments.? Each type of drug works differently. Often, two chemotherapy drugs are used? together to stop the growth and spread of cancer.?

Chemotherapy may be? given before? or after surgery or radiation (neoadjuvant? or adjuvant therapy).

Side Effects

Like radiation, chemotherapy affects? both healthy and cancer cells.? ? Side effects from chemotherapy? may include: nausea, vomiting, hair loss, weight loss, constipation, diarrhea, sores in the mouth and throat, fatigue (feeling tired), or damage to the liver, heart, kidneys and lungs.