Chemotherapy uses medicines to treat cancer by destroying or slowing the growth of cancer cells.
What is chemotherapy?
- Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.
- You may have one drug or a combination of drugs depending on the cancer type.
- You may have chemotherapy on its own or with surgery, radiation therapy or other drug therapies.
This may be before (neoadjuvant therapy) or after (adjuvant therapy) other treatments.
How chemotherapy is given?
- A medical oncologist or haematologist prescribes he course of chemotherapy.
- Chemotherapy is usually given as a liquid through a thin tube into a vein (intravenously).
- Chemotherapy is sometimes given by mouth as tablets or capsules (orally).
- For some types of cancer, chemotherapy is given in other ways (e.g. a cream for skin cancer or
injections for liver cancer).
How safe is chemotherapy?
- It’s safest for people without cancer to avoid direct contact with chemotherapy drugs, so nurses and doctors wear protective clothing when giving chemotherapy.
- There is little risk to those around you during and after your chemotherapy treatment.
- Your treatment team will give you advice on what precautions to take at home. These help protect members of your household from coming into contact with chemotherapy drugs or your body fluids, such as vomit, urine (wee) or saliva.
→ READ MORE: Having chemotherapy
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This information was last reviewed in August 2024. View who reviewed this content.
A/Prof Kate Mahon, Director of Medical Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Katherine Bell, Dietetics Department, Liverpool Hospital, NSW; Brigitta Leben, Dietetics Department, Liverpool Hospital, NSW; Sophie Michele, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Jess Smith, Medical Oncologist, Macquarie University Hospital, NSW; Karene Stewart, Consumer; Julie Teraci, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Skin Cancer and Melanoma, Cancer Network WA.
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