Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill rapidly growing cells in the
body, especially cancer cells. It’s one of the most common forms of cancer treatment and can be used
alone or in combination with other treatments like surgery, radiation, or immunotherapy.

Here are a few key points about chemotherapy:
• How it works: It targets fast-growing cells, which include cancer cells—but also affects
healthy fast-growing cells like those in hair follicles, bone marrow, and the digestive tract.
• Side effects: Because it affects healthy cells too, common side effects include fatigue,
nausea, hair loss, low blood counts, and increased risk of infection.
• Types: There are many kinds of chemo drugs, and they can be given orally (as pills),
through an IV, or in other forms depending on the cancer type.
• Goals: It can be used to cure cancer, slow its growth, prevent it from spreading, or
relieve symptoms (palliative care).

1. Adjuvant Chemotherapy
• Given after the main treatment (usually surgery).
• Goal: Destroy any remaining cancer cells to reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Example: After removing a breast tumor, chemo may be given to kill microscopic cancer
cells that might still be in the body.

2. Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
• Given before the main treatment (usually surgery).
• Goal: Shrink the tumor so it’s easier to remove, or to allow less invasive surgery.
• Example: Given before surgery in some breast or rectal cancers to shrink the tumor.

3. Curative Chemotherapy
• Intent: To cure the patient — to eliminate all cancer cells.
• Used when there’s a realistic chance of complete recovery.
• May be used alone or combined with surgery/radiation.
• Example: Some types of lymphoma or testicular cancer can be cured with chemo.

4. Palliative Chemotherapy
• Intent: Not to cure, but to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Used in advanced cancers where a cure isn’t possible.
• Can slow cancer growth and reduce pain or other symptoms.

Each type of chemotherapy is used depending on the stage, type of cancer, and patient’s overall
condition.