Info
Chemotherapy (cytotoxic drugs)
Treatment with medicines that destroy fast-multiplying cells, including cancer cells.
What it means
A drug treatment that uses chemical substances to destroy cells that divide rapidly, including cancer cells. It can be given intravenously or by mouth, in repeated courses. It also affects some healthy cells (hair follicles, the stomach lining), which explains the side effects.
In short
Treatment with medicines that destroy fast-multiplying cells, including cancer cells.
Where you will see it
Named in the oncology treatment plan, in the therapy protocol and when your courses are scheduled (adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment).
What it does not tell you on its own
Not all chemotherapy drugs cause the same side effects. Their type and intensity depend on the specific medicine, the dose and your general condition.
Questions for your doctor
- Which medicines will I be given and what are their effects?
- How many courses do I need?
- How can I manage nausea and fatigue?
- Will I lose my hair?
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Adjuvant treatment
- Treatment given after surgery or after the main treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence. It may be chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted therapy, depending on the type of cancer.
- Chemotherapy cycle
- A unit of time in chemotherapy treatment — a period of dosing followed by a rest period to let the body recover. A cycle typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks, and the number of cycles depends on the type of cancer and the response to treatment.
- Immunotherapy
- A treatment that helps the patient's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It works by releasing the brakes on the immune system or by directly stimulating lymphocytes. It can cause autoimmune side effects.
- Targeted therapy
- A drug treatment that selectively blocks specific molecules involved in the growth of cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, it affects healthy cells less. Examples: tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies.
- Radiotherapy
- A treatment that uses ionising radiation to destroy cancer cells or shrink the tumor. It can be external or internal (brachytherapy). It is precise and spares the surrounding healthy tissues.
Other terms in “Treatment”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.