Medical Oncology

What is Medical Oncology?

Medical oncology is a type of cancer care that uses the latest treatments available. Medical oncologists are doctors who treat cancer using medications such as:

• Chemotherapy
• Biotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive drugs)

What is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells.

There are many different chemotherapy drugs. Doctors may:

• Use one drug
• Or use a combination of drugs to better fight the cancer

The treatment plan depends on:

• The type of cancer
• The stage (how advanced it is)
• Where the cancer started
• What the cancer cells look like under a microscope

Chemotherapy can be used:

• By itself
• Or along with surgery and/or radiation therapy

How Does Chemotherapy Work?

Normal cells in your body:

• Grow and divide in a controlled way
• Do their job and then die when they are no longer needed

Cancer cells are different:

• They grow and divide quickly and out of control
• They do not die when they should
• They form a mass called a tumor

Chemotherapy works by:

• Attacking fast-growing cancer cells
• Stopping them from growing and dividing
• Killing the cancer cells

However, chemotherapy can also affect healthy cells that grow quickly, such as:

• Hair cells
• Cells in the mouth
• Cells in the digestive system
• Bone marrow cells

What are the Side Effects of Chemotherapy?

Because some healthy cells are affected, side effects can happen. Common side effects include:

• Hair loss or thinning
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pain
• Weakened immune system

The good news is:

• Many side effects can be managed with medicine and proper care
• Most side effects go away after treatment ends

How is Chemotherapy Given?

Chemotherapy can be given in different ways:

• Through a vein (IV) – the most common method
• By mouth (pills or capsules)
• Under the skin (injection)
• Into a muscle
• As a cream for some skin cancers