Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, or chemo, is a drug treatment used to destroy or control cancer cells.

There are many different chemotherapy drugs used for different types of cancer.

This page will help you understand how chemotherapy is used for cancer.

When is chemotherapy used?

Chemotherapy drugs may be used on their own or in combination with other chemo drugs or cancer treatments. 

They can be used to:

• Completely destroy the cancer as the main treatment
• Control the growth of tumours
• Shrink a tumour to make surgery easier
• Lower the risk of cancer returning

How do chemotherapy drugs work?

Chemotherapy drugs work to destroy cancer cells in different ways. They may:

• Attack cancer cells and break them down
• Stop cancer cells growing
• Starve cancer cells of the food they need

Chemotherapy drugs will affect normal cells as well, but the effects are temporary because normal cells can repair faster than cancer cells.

How often is chemotherapy given?

How regularly you have chemotherapy will depend on what drug, or combination of drugs you are having.

It's usually given a set number of days or weeks apart. This is called a cycle.

Each cycle starts when the normal cells have repaired enough to cope with another dose.

Before you start treatment, you will be told how many cycles to expect.

How is chemotherapy given?

Chemotherapy can be given in different ways depending on the type of drug or cancer type.

Usually drugs are given:

• Through a drip (intravenous)
• By taking tablets (orally)
• By injection to a particular area
• By portable pump over a few days

Before each one, you'll have a blood test to check your normal cells have repaired enough.

Where you have chemotherapy will depend on your situation and the drugs you are having. You might need to go to hospital as a day patient, stay in hospital or have it at home.

Side effects

Different chemotherapy drugs have different side effects but there are some that are more common.

The list can seem overwhelming but it's very unlikely that you'll get all of them.

Common side effects are:

• Feeling or being sick (nausea)
• Infections
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Hair loss
• Bleeding and bruising
• Anaemia (low red blood cells)
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Changes to appetite 
• Painful or sore mouth
• Weight changes
• Concentration and memory changes
• Low mood
• Fertility problems
• Loss of interest in sex
• Skin and nail changes
• Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)

Your doctor or specialist nurse will go through the side effects of each of the drugs you are taking and let you know which ones you are likely to get.

There are lots of ways to manage side effects so it's important to let your healthcare team know if you have them so they can help.

Reporting problems

When you're having chemotherapy you are more likely to develop infections that get serious quickly.

Your healthcare team will tell you which side effects need urgent treatment, for example a high temperature or being sick.

You will be given a 24-hour contact number and it's important you use it to report problems so you can be treated quickly.

Maggie's is here with you

You might have questions about your treatment and how you'll manage before, during or after.

Our Cancer Support Specialists are here to listen to your concerns and help you find the information and help that's right for you:

• Find your nearest Maggie's centre – you don't need an appointment, just come in

Last review: Oct 2021 | Next review: Oct 2022