What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is the use of powerful, anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be used as the primary therapy for cancer patients, or may be used in combination with other therapies, such as radiation.

How is chemotherapy administered?
Anti-cancer drugs are given to patients either intravenously (injected into a vein), by mouth, or by injection. The drugs kill or cause damage to cancer cells, but may also damage normal cells. Hospitalization may be needed to monitor treatment and to control chemotherapy's side effects.

What are the most common side effects of chemotherapy?
Common side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type of drug used, the dosage, and the length of treatment, and may include the following:

• nausea and vomiting
• hair loss
• anemia
• reduced ability of blood to clot
• mouth sores
• increased likelihood of developing infections
• fatigue

Side effects, and the degree to which they are experienced, differ. Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped.