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Chemotherapy is the use of potent drugs or chemicals, often in combinations or intervals, to kill or damage cancer cells in the body. Chemotherapy drugs are often called "anticancer agents."
The goal of chemotherapy is to damage or kill cancer cells so there's either no sign of illness (remission) or the disease's progress is slowed. Chemotherapy can produce long-term remission or outright cure for many people, depending on the cancer type and its extent.
The drugs must be toxic enough to kill leukemic cells, which is why chemotherapy can be hard on the body—the drugs' toxicity can harm healthy cells too. However, successful chemotherapy depends on the fact that cancerous cells are more sensitive to the chemicals in the drug than normal cells are.
The progress in treatment and survival for patients with blood cancers is largely due to the development of chemotherapy drugs over the past 40 years. Today's treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, and other types of blood cancers sometimes combine chemotherapy with radiation therapy. Very high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation can also be used.
How does chemotherapy work?
Normal, healthy cells divide and grow in a controlled pattern. When a healthy cell divides, it replicates itself and produces two cells that are identical. Cancer cells, on the other hand, grow uncontrollably and rapidly with no pattern. When a cancer cell comes into contact with a normal cell, the cancer cell takes over and copies itself many times, overburdening the body with cancer cells.
All chemotherapy drugs interfere with cancer cells' ability to grow or multiply. Different groups of drugs harm cancer cells in different ways. Certain chemotherapy drugs are used only for certain disease cell types—that's why it's essential that the disease be accurately diagnosed.
How are chemotherapy drugs given?
Chemotherapy drugs can sometimes be swallowed in pill, capsule, or liquid form. But in most cases, your child will receive the drugs through a catheter, or central line—a small device that's placed in one of their veins, usually in their upper chest, through a small surgical incision. The catheter can stay in place for weeks or months.
Your child’s doctor or nurse uses the catheter—a thin, flexible tube or intravenous (IV) line—to deliver the drugs directly into your child’s bloodstream. Using a catheter instead of repeatedly inserting an IV needle can help ward off infection and irritation, and may be more comfortable.
For information about the drugs listed on this page, visit our cancer drug listing.
Overcoming anxiety about chemotherapy
Having to make choices about chemotherapy and other treatment options can cause a great deal of anxiety. Asking your child’s doctor any questions you have may ease stress and give you some sense of relief in making these choices. In addition, your nurses, social workers, and other health professionals understand the complexity of the emotions and ongoing needs of what you and your child are enduring. They're available to spend time with you and your child, answer questions, lend emotional support and provide referrals to other useful resources. Blood Cancer United Information Specialists are also available to answer your questions and offer support.
Questions to ask about taking chemotherapy medications at home
Your child may sometimes be able to take chemotherapy drugs at home. Before starting their regimen, ask your child’s doctor these questions so you thoroughly understand how your child is supposed to take the drugs and what to do if problems arise:
- What if my child misses a dose?
- What if my child vomits immediately after taking medication?
- When should my child take the medication?
- How should I store it?
- Does my child need to take this drug with food?
- When and how should I contact the healthcare team with questions?
- How do I contact a healthcare professional after hours?
Common chemotherapy side effects
The following side effects are common to chemotherapy. Your child may not experience these side effects, or they may experience different ones. Always talk to your child’s healthcare team about any side effects they are experiencing.
- Extreme fatigue
- Infections
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Mouth sores
- Aches and pains
- Low blood pressure
- Low levels of red cells, white cells, and platelets in the blood
- Anemia (caused by a low red cell count)
- Rash
Learn more about chemotherapy side effects and how to manage them.
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