Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a medical treatment that uses drugs to kill or slow down the growth of rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells. It is a systemic treatment, meaning that the drugs circulate throughout the body to reach cancer cells wherever they may be. Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat various types of cancer and may be employed in different settings, such as before surgery to shrink tumors, after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells, or as the primary treatment for certain cancers.

The drugs used in chemotherapy can be administered in various ways, including orally (in the form of pills or liquid), intravenously (directly into a vein), or through injections into muscles or under the skin. The choice of chemotherapy drugs and the specific treatment regimen depend on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the overall health and individual circumstances of the patient.

While chemotherapy is effective in killing rapidly dividing cells, it can also affect normal, healthy cells that divide quickly, leading to side effects. Common side effects of chemotherapy may include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, decreased blood cell counts, and increased susceptibility to infections. The severity and duration of these side effects can vary from person to person and depend on the specific drugs used.