Chemotherapy is the use of drugs or medications to destroy cancer cells. Two terms used to describe cancer chemotherapy are antineoplastic (anti-cancer) and cytotoxic (cell-killing). Chemotherapy is often used as a systemic treatment, where the drugs travel throughout the body and can reach cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body.

Goals of chemotherapy:

• Cure the cancer (tumor disappears and does not return)
• Control the cancer (stop it from growing and spreading)
• Palliation in the advanced stages (used to relieve symptoms of cancer)

Ways to take chemotherapy

• Orally (by mouth)
• Topically (on top of the skin)
• Intravenously (into the vein)
• Intramuscularly (into the muscle)
• Subcutaneously (under the skin)
• Intra-arterially (into an artery)
• Intrathecally (into the central-nervous system)
• Intrapleurally (into the chest cavity)
• Intraperitonally (into the abdominal cavity)
• Intravesically (into the bladder)
• Intralesionally (into the tumor)

Places to receive chemotherapy

• Doctor's office
• Hospital
• Outpatient clinic
• Home
• Workplace

Side effects of chemotherapy

• Low white blood cell count with risk of infection
• Low red blood cell count with risk of fatigue, dizziness, headaches and shortness of breath
• Low platelet count with risk of bleeding gums, nose bleeds and bruising
• Hair loss
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Temporary or permanent damage of ovaries
• Yeast infections
• Nausea and vomiting
• Mouth sores
• Increased sensitivity to light

Information

For more information about the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center or to schedule an appointment, please call (800) 749-7424 or (352) 265-8000.

Shands at UF Cancer Services were ranked 46th in the country by U.S.News&World Report. Learn more.

Shands at UF Cancer Services Navigation

History

University of Florida Shands Cancer Center 2007 Annual Report (PDF file)

Types of Cancer

Brain Cancer

Breast Cancer

Colon Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Genitourinary Cancers

Gynecological Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Larynx Cancer

Leukemia

Lung Cancer

Lymphoma

Oropharyngeal Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Skin Cancer

Cancer Treatment

Bone Marrow Transplant

Brachytherapy

Chemotherapy

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Surgery

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment or find out more information about cancer services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.8000 or toll-free 1.800.749.7424

You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form.