Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment protocol that uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells from the body.
The drugs used in the chemotherapy regiment target cancer cells that are rapidly dividing.
Why are you given chemotherapy (“Chemo”)
- To cure a specific cancer;
- To control tumor growth when cure is not possible;
- To shrink tumors before surgery or radiation therapy; (neo-adjuvant therapy)
- To relieve symptoms (such as pain); and
- To destroy microscopic cancer cells that may be present after the known tumor is removed by surgery (called adjuvant therapy). Adjuvant therapy is given to prevent a possible cancer reoccurrence.
At Cancer Health Clinic, our Clinical Oncologists are responsible for prescribing your chemotherapy; there may be one or many drug combinations depending on your specific type of cancer, the size and location of the tumor, the age and general condition of the patient and many other factors that are taken into consideration to tailor your chemotherapy regiment to your unique situation.
Chemotherapy is administered by trained oncology nurses who have a vast knowledge about the mechanism of action, mode of delivery and side effects of the various chemotherapy regiments.
Chemotherapy can be given intravenously (through the vein), it is the most common administration form, it can also be given orally (through the mouth), subcutaneously (underneath the skin), intramuscular (into the muscle), intracavitary (into a space in the body like the pleura, the peritoneum…) or even topical (as a skin lotion for example).
Talk to the Cancer Health Clinic team about your chemotherapy regiment and needs.
