Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. They work by disrupting the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used to shrink a tumour before surgery. It may also be used after surgery to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back. It can also be used if the cancer has spread to another part of the body, or if it comes back in the future.

The drugs are sometimes given as tablets or, more usually, by injections into a vein. Two or three chemotherapy drugs are usually given together. The drugs will be injected, or given slowly through a drip. As well as the chemotherapy you will be given injections to stop you feeling sick. Most patients are usually able to go home on the same day. This is followed by a rest period of three to four weeks. This rest allows your body to recover from any side effects of the treatment. The number of sessions of chemotherapy can vary from four to eight.

Some people will have their chemotherapy given through a central line or a PICC line. These are long plastic tubes that are placed into a vein either in your chest or the crook of your arm. The lines can stay in place for the whole of your treatment. It is important that the line is kept clean and dry to prevent infection. You will be taught how to look after the line before you go home.

A few chemotherapy drugs may contain very small amounts of alcohol. The alcohol is used to stabilize the drug to make it safe to give. If you are concerned about having these drugs because of your religious or cultural beliefs, it may help to discuss this with your religious leader, your doctor or nurse.

Chemotherapy is usually given to you as an outpatient, but occasionally it will mean spending a few days in hospital.

Chemotherapy can cause unpleasant side effects. Many people have just a few side effects and those that occur can often be well controlled with medicines. It is helpful to let your doctor or chemotherapy nurse know about any side effects immediately, so that they can find ways of controlling them. The main side effects are a lowered resistance to infection, anaemia, tiredness, feeling sick, a sore mouth, and loss of appetite. Some of the chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss.