Chemotherapy entails using specific medications administered to destroy cancer cells. While normal cells in the body grow and die in a controlled way, cancer cells tend to grow in an uncontrolled fashion and do not die when they should. Anticancer drugs are designed to stop these cells from growing and multiplying.

Researchers and clinical Oncologists (cancer doctors) have found that cancers can frequently be treated more effectively by using multiple chemotherapy drugs at one time (combination chemotherapy).

The specific chemotherapy that is chosen for each patient is based upon what type of a tumor is being treated. While there is some overlap among the chemotherapies used for different cancers, combinations of medications for different tumors are usually different. Always ask your oncologist (cancer doctor) and nurses if you have any questions or concerns regarding your treatment. You may even wish to keep a notebook to write down your questions so that you are sure that all of your questions are answered.