Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs work by interfering with the ability of a cancer cell to divide and reproduce itself. The affected cells become damaged and eventually die. As the drugs are carried in the blood, they can reach cancer cells all over the body.
The drugs damage the cancer cells in different ways. If a combination of drugs is used, each drug is chosen because of its different effects. Unfortunately, chemotherapy drugs can also affect normal cells in your body, sometimes causing unpleasant side effects. Unlike cancer cells, normal cells quickly reproduce, so any damage to them is usually temporary and most side effects will disappear once the treatment is over.
We work closely within a multi-disciplinarian approach with your medical oncologist.