Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy refers to a type of cancer treatment in which a patient is given drugs that are designed to kill cancer cells. One or more drugs, called cytotoxic anti-tumor drugs, may be given at a time, either intravenously or orally. Chemotherapy works by targeting cells within the body that divide rapidly, which is one of the main characteristics of cancer cells. Some normal cells also divide rapidly, such as cells in hair follicles and the digestive tract. These cells are also damaged by chemotherapy, which accounts for many of the side effects patients experience when undergoing treatment. The following video explains some of the goals and side effects of chemotherapy.