Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses powerful drugs to destroy or slow the growth of rapidly dividing cancer cells. It can be used alone or alongside surgery, radiation, or immunotherapy.
Chemotherapy is classified based on how it's used and what kind of drugs are involved
Curative Chemotherapy – Aims to cure cancer completely.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy – Given after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy – Given before surgery to shrink tumors.
Palliative Chemotherapy – Used to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, not necessarily to cure.
Alkylating Agents – E.g., Cyclophosphamide
Antimetabolites – E.g., Methotrexate, 5-FU
Anti-tumor Antibiotics – E.g., Doxorubicin
Plant Alkaloids – E.g., Vincristine, Paclitaxel
Topoisomerase Inhibitors – E.g., Irinotecan
Mitotic Inhibitors – E.g., Docetaxel
Since chemo affects fast-growing healthy cells too (like those in hair, digestive tract, and bone marrow), it can cause:
(e.g., every 2–3 weeks) to give your body time to recover
Chemotherapy can be delivered through:
Most common, via veins or port
Taken at home
Subcutaneous or intramuscular
Directly into the abdomen
Into cerebrospinal fluid for brain cancers
As a cream (for certain skin cancers)
