Chemotherapy at Children's Cancer Hospital Foundation / Hospital 57357

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment where medicine with powerful chemicals is used to destroy fast-growing cells in the body. It is usually used to treat cancer because cancer cells can grow and multiply faster than most other cells within the body. While it is not a singularly defined service, it generally involves a series of treatments administered in cycles over a period of weeks or months, with rest periods in between. 

Chemotherapy may be used in a variety of settings for people with cancer, including:

• As the primary treatment for cancer (alone without other types of treatments).

• In combination with other therapies, such as radiation, surgery, or hormone therapy. 

• After other types of cancer treatments, such as surgery, to kill hidden cancer cells that may remain in the body. This is called adjuvant therapy. 

• To prepare your body for other treatments, such as surgery and radiation, by shrinking a tumor. This is called neoadjuvant therapy.

• To help relieve symptoms of cancer by destroying some of the cancer cells. This is called palliative chemotherapy.

Besides treating cancer, some chemotherapy drugs can be used to treat other conditions, such as immune system disorders and bone marrow diseases.