Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer.

There are many different types of chemotherapy drugs and often a person will need a number of chemotherapy drugs as part of their treatment. However, sometimes only one chemotherapy drug is given. The number of drugs required does not relate to the size or spread of the cancer but is determined by many different factors. The oncologist (specialist cancer doctor) will consider the type of cancer, where it started, whether it has spread and other factors unique to the individual in determining the type of chemotherapy to be given.

The aim of chemotherapy may be to cure cancer, to relieve symptoms, to help other treatments work better or to improve survival.

• Cure: Some cancers can be cured by chemotherapy on its own or combined with other treatments.
• Relief of symptoms: Sometimes it is not possible to completely control cancer. However, chemotherapy can help people feel better. Symptoms such as pain may be relieved if the cancer is made smaller.
• Together with other treatments: Chemotherapy can be used along with another treatment, such as surgery or radiotherapy. This is called adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy can be given either before or after surgery. When given before an operation, the drugs may make the cancer smaller. When given either before or after an operation, chemotherapy may destroy any cancer cells that have not been found but could cause the cancer to return.
  Chemotherapy can also be given at the same time as radiotherapy. The combination of chemotherapy with radiation may be more effective than either treatment by itself.
• To improve survival: Having adjuvant therapy may increase the chance of long-term survival. In some circumstances, even if the cancer cannot be cured, having chemotherapy may enable people to live longer.

How is chemotherapy given?

This will depend on the type of cancer you have and the drugs that are used. Chemotherapy can be given in several ways: into a vein through a drip or an injection, by mouth, as an injection into the bladder, or applied on the skin.

When you have chemotherapy there will often be a period of treatment followed by a break. This is called a cycle of treatment. The number of treatments and their frequency will depend upon the type of cancer and the drugs used. In general, people have chemotherapy over six to twelve months. However, you may have it for shorter or longer periods. Discuss this with your doctor.

How does chemotherapy work?

Chemotherapy drugs travel around your body and destroy certain cells. Some normal cells which multiply rapidly (like hair cells or blood cells) may also be affected by chemotherapy. However, normal cells can renew themselves better than cancer cells. The rest periods between chemotherapy treatments allow your normal cells to recover before the next treatment.

No matter which way it is given (such as in a vein or by mouth), chemotherapy travels in your blood to reach cancer cells in your body. The rate at which cancer cells are destroyed varies with each type of cancer and the drugs used.

Does having chemotherapy hurt?

Having chemotherapy by mouth, on the skin or by injection is like having other medications by these methods. Having chemotherapy intravenously feels, at the start, like having blood taken. Some people feel coolness or another unusual sensation in the area of the needle. Report such feelings to your doctor or nurse. It is not painful unless the drugs cause an irritation. Report any pain, discomfort or burning sensation that occurs during or after treatment with intravenous chemotherapy.

Many people have little or no trouble having the needle put into their hand or lower arm. However, if you have problems for any reason, or if it becomes difficult to insert the needle into a vein for each treatment, the treatment team will help look at the best way to deliver the treatment

Chemotherapy can be time-consuming

You will probably spend a lot of time in hospital or a clinic: waiting for the doctor, for blood tests, for the results of blood tests or for your chemotherapy drugs to be made up and given.

People cope in different ways, depending on how well they feel and what their needs are. Reading a book or a magazine, listening to music or talking to a friend can provide distraction. Or you may just want to look around, write in a journal, think or meditate.

At first, it may be scary seeing people who are sick from cancer or treatment. You will get used to this. You will probably find people quite friendly and willing to talk, if that is what you wish.

It may help to ask how long your wait will be. If you need to be finished by a certain time, tell the receptionist, nurse or doctor.

More information about chemotherapy

For more information and resources about chemotherapy, please call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

The information available on this page should not be used as a substitute for advice from a properly qualified medical professional who can advise you about your own individual medical needs. It is not intended to constitute medical advice and is provided for general information purposes only. See our Disclaimer.