Chemotherapy for Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy is a category of drugs used to stop or slow the growth of cancer cells and is one of the most common treatments included in the treatment plans for many patients. In some treatments, researchers have found that a combination of chemotherapy drugs is most effective at treating a particular type of cancer.
It can be included in a treatment plan alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy. Every patient’s treatment plan is unique, and your care team will guide you through the best treatment options for you.
At Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA), our board-certified medical oncologists create personalized cancer treatment plans based on your specific diagnosis, the stage of your cancer, your treatment goals, and your overall health.
Understanding chemotherapy, the different types, how it works, and what to expect with this type of treatment will help prepare you to undergo chemotherapy treatment.
How Chemotherapy Works
Cancer develops when abnormal cells grow and divide uncontrollably. Chemotherapy medications work by traveling through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells or prevent them from growing and spreading throughout the body.
It is considered a systemic therapy, meaning chemotherapy can reach cancer cells wherever they are located, making it an effective option for cancers that could, or have, spread (metastasized) beyond their original site.
Chemotherapy is designed to target rapidly dividing cancer cells. However, it can also harm some healthy cells. Patients often experience side effects as a result of the damage to healthy cells. Side effects can include nausea or vomiting, fatigue, mouth sores, mood changes, hair loss, constipation or diarrhea, and nerve and muscle problems. Side effects vary from person to person and depend on the medications used, and they typically resolve after treatment ends. Your oncologist can provide tips on managing them.
Types of Chemotherapies
Several chemotherapy drugs are available today, and each works differently in attacking cancer cells. Some damage the DNA inside cancer cells, while others interfere with their ability to grow and divide. Because cancer cells are adaptable and can learn to evade these drugs, the oncologist may recommend more than one chemotherapy drug to maximize their effects on cancer cells.
Different types of chemotherapy are used to:
- Destroy cancer cells throughout the body
- Slow or stop cancer growth
- Prevent cancer from spreading
- Reduce the risk of cancer returning after treatment
- Kill cancer cells that have metastasized
- Relieve cancer symptoms
Chemotherapy drugs are typically administered intravenously (directly into a vein) during an infusion appointment or orally, as a pill. At HOA, oncology-certified nurses care for patients in our infusion suites at each of our locations in the Syracuse area. They are specially trained in how to administer infusions and monitor patients for side effects during treatment.
Chemo can also be given as an injection, pill, or topical cream. If this applies to you, our oncology nurses will review how to take it if you’re not at the cancer center.
Treatments are often given in cycles, which include periods of treatment followed by time to recover before the next cycle begins. Your care team will explain your schedule, including how long your treatment will last.
What to Expect from Chemotherapy
Starting chemotherapy can be overwhelming, but knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared.
Before Treatment
Before your first treatment, you’ll meet with your cancer care team for a chemo education session. During this one-on-one session, you will review your personalized plan, including the types of medicines you’ll receive, your treatment schedule, any additional testing that may be needed, and possible side effects. This is also a great time to ask any questions and discuss any concerns you have about treatment.
During Treatment
Patients receiving IV chemotherapy will have it administered in one of HOA’s comfortable infusion centers under the care of experienced oncology nurses. Appointments can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the treatment plan.
During infusion, patients are carefully monitored for possible reactions. Our certified infusion nurses will also ensure you are as comfortable as possible.
Those taking oral chemotherapy will receive detailed instructions on how and when to take the medication, as well as guidance on handling and storing it at home.
After Treatment
Depending on your individual treatment plan, other cancer treatments may follow chemotherapy. Your oncologist should discuss next steps with you, whether that is additional testing to determine how effective the chemotherapy was, or continuing with the next treatment.
While some people experience mild side effects that go away after chemotherapy ends, others may need additional support. Many side effects can be prevented or managed with medications or by maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout cancer treatment. Talk to your cancer care team if you are experiencing symptoms after chemotherapy ends, so they can help manage them.
Why Choose HOA for Cancer Treatment
At Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, our multidisciplinary team consists of compassionate professionals, including skilled infusion nurses, who deliver expert care and provide access to essential supportive resources for achieving the best possible outcomes.
We accept many types of insurance and care for patients throughout Central New York, specifically in the Syracuse area, including Camillus and all of Onondaga County; Auburn and the rest of Cayuga County; Madison County, including Oneida; Jefferson County, including Watertown; and throughout Oswego County, including Fulton and Oswego.
