How to Learn the Types of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the process of using chemical therapy to destroy cancer living inside the body. Follow these steps to learn about the different types of chemotherapy treatment.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

1. Read the National Cancer Society's Web site on the different types of chemotherapy (see Resources below). You will find information on alkylating agents, nitrosoureas, antimetabolites, anthracyclines and other drugs used in chemotherapy treatments. Your doctor simultaneously can administer multiple drugs in a technique called combination chemotherapy.

2. Ask your doctor about options. Chemotherapy can be administered intravenously, orally, through inoculation or topically.

3. Find out whether you will couple your chemotherapy with another treatment form such as radiation. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy are forms of chemotherapy used with radiation treatment. Neoadjuvant helps reduce the size of a tumor before surgery whereas adjuvant therapy attacks the cancer cells that remain after radiation.

4. Read the National Cancer Institute's "Chemotherapy and You" guide (see Resources below) to learn about different types of chemotherapy such as biological therapy and hormone therapy .

5. Learn more about chemotherapy so you'll feel empowered and aware as you begin treatment. In addition to chemotherapy research, cancer patients must make lifestyle adjustments to cope with the effects of chemotherapy. For example, instead of three large meals, you'll want to eat more small meals throughout the day to avoid or limit nausea.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are about to undergo chemotherapy, ask your oncologist to explain the full treatment regimen, including the time of dosage, varying dosage levels, side effects and the overall treatment timeline.

• Consider joining an online cancer support group to cope with the mental strain of chemotherapy's potentially damaging effects on the body.