Chemotherapy
World-Class Cancer Treatment, Close to Home
Chemotherapy (Chemo) refers to the medications that oncologists use to destroy cancer cells throughout your body. While treatments like surgery and radiation target specific areas, chemotherapy travels systemically, meaning it reaches all parts of your body.
Even with the most advanced imaging, it’s impossible to guarantee that every cancer cell has been detected. Scans only show larger clusters of cells, so even a few remaining cells can pose a risk. For this reason, oncologists often recommend chemotherapy, even when scans appear clear.
How Chemotherapy Works
Chemotherapy targets fast-growing cells, which is why cancer cells are especially vulnerable. Because it also affects healthy rapidly dividing cells, side effects such as hair loss or mouth sores can occur. Chemo is sometimes paused after surgery or injury to allow healthy cells to recover. Your oncologist and nursing team will provide detailed information about the specific chemotherapy medications prescribed for your care.
Types of Chemotherapy
Medical oncology teams may use chemotherapy in different ways:
- Early-stage cancer: The goal is to cure. While oncologists cannot guarantee complete eradication, chemotherapy is frequently effective.
- Recurrent or residual cancer: If cancer returns or was not fully removed by surgery, chemotherapy may be used to control the disease. Treatment in these cases may continue long-term.
- Palliative chemotherapy: Chemotherapy can also relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Careful discussion with your care team helps balance benefits with potential side effects.
Specialty Nursing Support
Our chemotherapy patients benefit from specially trained oncology nurses. These nurses have completed advanced chemotherapy training through the Oncology Nursing Society, ensuring expert care throughout your treatment.
How You Receive Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles to allow your body time to recover. For example, you may receive a treatment on Day 1, a second on Day 8, followed by a 2–3 week break before the next cycle. This schedule helps your body — particularly your blood counts — recover between sessions.
While many people associate chemotherapy with intravenous (IV) infusion, there are other delivery methods. A surgically placed port in the upper chest allows direct administration into a vein if needed. Your oncology team will determine the best method based on your needs and vascular access. Many modern anti-cancer treatments are in pill form. Your oncologist will advise on the best treatment for your case.
Preparing yourself and your household for chemotherapy can make the process smoother and less stressful. While you may feel well on most days, some days may bring fatigue or other side effects. Advance planning can help you manage treatment more comfortably. Prior to receiving chemotherapy at Exeter Hospital, you will have a teaching session to review side effects and strategies for decreasing symptoms. Here are some helpful strategies:
- Understand your treatment: Talk with your doctor about the specific chemotherapy drugs you’ll receive. Side effects vary by medication, so there’s no need to worry about issues that don’t apply to your care.
- Plan for hair loss: If hair loss is likely, have wigs, hats, or scarves ready in advance.
- Prepare meals ahead of time: Cook and freeze portion-sized comfort foods, such as soups, pasta, or macaroni and cheese.
- Stay hydrated: Stock a variety of beverages. Ginger, mint, or chamomile teas may be soothing, and mixing juice with carbonated water can help if plain water tastes metallic.
- Make sure your rest space is comfortable: Consider soft sheets, a cozy bathrobe, or comfortable sweats for days when you don’t feel your best.
- Plan entertainment: A tablet, e-reader, or Kindle can provide portable entertainment during treatments and recovery days.
- Schedule small treats: Plan rewards or enjoyable activities for a day or two after each treatment.
- Set realistic expectations: Don’t expect to complete large projects at home. Focus on recovery rather than organizing decades of photos or tackling major cleaning.
- Delegate tasks: Reduce unnecessary responsibilities. Sending holiday cards or writing thank-you notes can wait — make yourself the priority.
- Include household members: Assign age-appropriate tasks to children, such as setting the table or bringing you water. Older children can help with laundry, simple meals, or outdoor chores.
- Communicate with your partner: Have multiple discussions about dividing household responsibilities. You may not be able to do your usual share, and your partner may need to take on extra duties.
By planning ahead and enlisting help, you can focus on your health and make chemotherapy days more manageable.
In the past, chemotherapy often caused unpleasant side effects like nausea and vomiting. Today, however, oncologists can prescribe medications that help patients manage these effects much more effectively.
Everyone responds differently to chemotherapy, so if you experience discomfort after treatments, contact your doctor. They can adjust your medications or suggest alternatives to help you feel better. We will meet with you to make sure your symptoms are well controlled.
