Asco Answers Chemotherapy

Understanding Chemotherapy
What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. It works by
keeping the cancer cells from growing and dividing to make more cells.
Systemic chemotherapy gets into the bloodstream to reach cancer
cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy can be given in several ways.
The most common method is intravenous (IV) chemotherapy.
In addition to chemotherapy, there are other types of systemic therapy
using medication to treat cancer. These include targeted therapy,
hormone therapy, and immunotherapy. Doctors will often combine
drugs so they are more effective. The drug or combination of drugs,
as well as the dose, depends on several factors, including the type
and stage of cancer, the patient’s general health, and previous cancer
treatments. Find more information at www.cancer.net/chemotherapy.
What should I expect during

chemotherapy?
Before treatment, you will meet with a medical oncologist. They will recommend a specific treatment schedule and explain the risks and benefits. If
you decide to receive chemotherapy, you will be asked to give written permission. You will also have tests to help plan treatment. Your doctor may
also recommend checking your dental health and heart health and addressing fertility concerns before treatment.
You may receive chemotherapy at the doctor’s office, an outpatient clinic, the hospital, or at home. Chemotherapy is often given for a specific time,
such as for several weeks, several months, or longer. Or, you might receive chemotherapy for as long as it works. Doctors usually give these drugs
with breaks between treatments, so you have time to rest and recover before the next treatment. This lets your healthy cells heal. Each dose and
recovery time is called a “treatment cycle.” Several treatment cycles make up a course of chemotherapy. A course usually lasts 3 months or more.
Some cancers are treated with less recovery time between cycles. This is called a dose-dense schedule. It can make chemotherapy more effective
against some cancers, but it also increases the risk of side effects.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

The side effects of chemotherapy are different for each person. They depend on the type of cancer, where it is located, the drugs and dose used,
and your general health.
Preventing and controlling side effects is a major focus of your health care team, so talk with them about any side effects you experience. The
most common side effect is fatigue, which is feeling tired or exhausted almost all the time. Other side effects may include pain, throat and mouth
sores, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and blood problems. Some drugs may cause nerve damage, changes in thinking and memory
(chemobrain), changes to sexual health, fertility issues, appetite loss, hair loss, and heart problems. Most side effects go away after treatment.
However, some long-term side effects may continue, come back, or develop later. These can include permanent damage to some organs; difficulty
with thinking, concentrating, and memory; and nervous system changes. Learn more about managing side effects at www.cancer.net/sideeffects.
ASCO ANSWERS is a collection of oncologist-approved patient education materials developed by the

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for people with cancer and their caregivers.
Questions to ask the Words to know
health care team Adjuvant treatment: Chemotherapy given
Regular communication is important in making informed decisions about your health care. It after surgery or radiation therapy to lower the
can be helpful to bring someone along to your appointments to take notes. Consider asking risk of recurrence.
your health care team the following questions:
Fertility: The ability to become pregnant or
have a child.
`
What is the type and stage of my cancer? What does this mean?
`
Do I need chemotherapy? If so, which drug or drugs will I receive? How will each one be given? Intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Medication
given directly into the abdominal cavity.
`
What is the goal of chemotherapy? Is it to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better, or both?
Intravenous chemotherapy: Medication given
`
How often will I receive chemotherapy? directly into a vein.
`
How much time will each treatment take?
Medical oncologist: A doctor who specializes
`
Where will treatment be given? in treating cancer with medication.
`
Will each treatment be the same? Will the drug or drug dose change during the course of Metastasis: The spread of cancer from where it
treatment? began to another part of the body.
`
What can I do to get ready for this treatment? Neoadjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy given
`
What will I experience when I receive chemotherapy? Will it hurt or cause discomfort? before surgery to shrink a tumor.
`
How and when will I know if the treatment is working? Oncology nurse: A member of the treatment
team who specializes in caring for people with
`
How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my
cancer, including giving chemotherapy.
usual activities?
`
What are the potential side effects of this treatment? What can be done to prevent or relieve Oral chemotherapy: Medication swallowed as
a pill, capsule, or liquid.
any side effects?
`
Will this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant or have children? Recurrence: Cancer that comes back after
treatment.
`
Will this treatment affect my sex life? If so, for how long?
Topical chemotherapy: Medication rubbed
`
What are the possible long-term or late effects of this treatment?
into the skin.
`
If I have a question or problem, who should I call?
Find more questions to ask the health care team at www.cancer.net/chemotherapy. For a
digital list of questions, download Cancer.Net’s free mobile app at www.cancer.net/app.
This fact sheet was developed and is © 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO). All rights reserved worldwide. No sponsor was involved in the development of the
content. The mention of any company, product, service, or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of any kind by ASCO or Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation. It is the
responsibility of the treating physician or other health care provider, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine drug dosages and the best treatment
for the patient. ASCO assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of the fact sheet or any errors or omissions. Information
in ASCO’s patient education materials is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for medical advice. Patients with health care-related questions should call or see their physician
or other health care provider promptly and should not disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it, because of information encountered here. ASCO believes that all
treatment decisions should be made between patients and their doctors. Advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer occur regularly. For more information, visit
Cancer.Net (www.cancer.net).
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY

2318 Mill Road, Suite 800, Alexandria, VA 22314
Toll Free: 888-651-3038 | Phone: 571-483-1300
www.asco.org | www.cancer.net | www.conquer.org
© 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology. MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH
For permissions information, contact [email protected].
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Understanding Chemotherapy

What should I expect during

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

ASCO ANSWERS is a collection of oncologist-approved patient education materials developed by the

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY

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