What is chemotherapy?
Q: What is chemotherapy?
A: Chemotherapy is the use of chemical substances to treat diseases, most commonly cancer.
Q: What does "cytotoxic" mean in relation to chemotherapy?
A: "Cytotoxic" means that chemotherapy drugs are toxic to the body's cells.
Q: How do doctors choose the chemotherapy medication for a person with cancer?
A: Doctors choose the chemotherapy medication that will treat each type of cancer in the best way.
Q: Are chemotherapy drugs ever combined with other drugs?
A: Yes, often chemotherapy drugs are combined with each other and with other drugs when a person is treated for cancer.
Q: Is chemotherapy always given after surgery to remove a tumor?
A: No, chemotherapy may be given before or after surgery to remove a tumor.
Q: Can chemotherapy be used to treat diseases other than cancer?
A: Yes, chemotherapy can also be used to treat other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Q: What are some common side effects of chemotherapy?
A: Chemotherapy often has bad side effects. Common side effects include nausea, hair loss, fatigue, and weakened immune system.
