Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment that uses medicine to kill cancer cells [1]. It can be used to try to cure a cancer, to lower the chance of it coming back, to shrink a tumour before other treatment, or to ease symptoms when a cure is not possible [1].

Chemotherapy may be given on its own or combined with other treatments such as surgery or radiotherapy [1]. Your care team will explain the aim of your treatment and what they hope it will achieve in your situation [1].

Chemotherapy can be given in several ways, most commonly through a drip into a vein, but also as an injection, through a small pump you wear, or as tablets or capsules you take at home [1]. It is usually given in cycles over a period of months, with rest periods in between to let your body recover [1].

Before starting, your team will assess you, discuss possible side effects and, where relevant, talk about how treatment might affect fertility [1]. You may have checks such as blood tests, measurements and scans to plan your care [1].

Chemotherapy can cause side effects because it also affects some healthy cells [1]. Common ones include tiredness, feeling or being sick, a sore mouth, hair loss, and a higher risk of infection because of a lower number of blood cells [1]. Most side effects can be managed and often improve after treatment finishes [1].

Contact your care team straight away if you feel unwell, especially with a high temperature or other signs of infection, unusual bruising or bleeding, or sudden breathlessness or chest pain, as these can be signs of a serious problem [1].