1. "What is chemotherapy?"

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with drugs. We give the chemotherapy for different reasons. Sometimes our goal is to cure cancer, sometimes it is to control the cancer, and sometimes to control pain. We have excellent drugs available to control many of the side effects of the chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

2. "How is chemotherapy given?"

Chemotherapy can be given in a multitude of ways. The two most common methods used are by mouth or through the vein. For specific types of cancers we also can give chemotherapy into the spinal canal, the bladder, and the abdominal cavity.

3. "What are the side effects of chemotherapy?"

The specific side effects of chemotherapy will depend on the type of chemotherapy you will receive. Some of the general side effects, which usually occur to some degree with most chemotherapy, are bone marrow suppression, change in taste, and fatigue. In the bone marrow, the white blood cells are made which fight infection; ; the red blood cells that carry oxygen ;; and the platelets that help the blood to clot. This results in an increased risk of getting an infection, feeling tired, and an increase risk for bleeding. The physician and nursing staff will explain the specific side effects of your chemotherapy, along with any specific precautions prior to the administration of the chemotherapy. Please feel free to ask questions and bring along family members to help better understand your treatment.

4. "Does every cancer patient need chemotherapy?"

No, every cancer patient does not need chemotherapy. This decision will be based on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the treatment goal agreed upon by the patient and health care team.

5. "What is biotherapy or biological therapy?"

Biotherapy is the treatment of cancer using the body’s immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer. The immune system works to defend the body against attacks by “foreign” invaders; it is one of the body’s main defenses against disease. The immune system may detect the difference between “normal” cells and cancer cells in the body and work to eradicate those that are cancerous.