Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy Education Videos
Watch short videos from our care team covering what to expect during chemotherapy and how to manage common side effects.
Cancer Therapies Introduction
Blood Counts
Hair Loss
Skin and Nail Changes
Oral Changes
Bowel Changes
Nervous System Changes
Managing Anxiety and Well-Being
Sexual Changes in Women
A cancer diagnosis can bring many questions and emotions, but understanding your treatment options is an important first step. Chemotherapy is one of the most effective and widely used cancer treatments, helping to eliminate cancer cells, slow disease progression, reduce the risk of recurrence, and improve outcomes for many patients. While every treatment plan is unique, advances in cancer care continue to make chemotherapy more precise, manageable, and effective than ever before.
At Virginia Cancer Specialists, you are never alone. You are supported by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other oncology professionals dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care. We will work closely with you throughout treatment to monitor your progress, manage side effects, answer your questions, and ensure you receive personalized care tailored to your needs. Our goal is to help you navigate treatment with confidence while maintaining the highest possible quality of life.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing and dividing. Because chemotherapy medications travel through the bloodstream, they can reach cancer cells throughout the body. This is known as systemic treatment and makes chemotherapy especially effective for cancers that have spread beyond their original location or have the potential to spread.
Chemotherapy may be administered:
- Through an intravenous (IV) infusion
- By injection
- As pills or capsules taken by mouth
- In certain cases, directly into specific areas of the body
Your Virginia Cancer Specialists care team will determine the best treatment approach based on your type of cancer, stage of disease, overall health, and treatment goals.
Why is chemotherapy effective?
Cancer cells typically grow and divide much more quickly than normal cells. Chemotherapy targets these rapidly dividing cells, helping to destroy them before they can continue to grow or spread. Different chemotherapy medications work in different ways, and many treatment plans combine several drugs to improve effectiveness.
Depending on your diagnosis, chemotherapy may be used to:
- Cure cancer
- Shrink tumors before surgery or radiation
- Destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery
- Reduce the risk of cancer returning
- Slow cancer growth and spread
- Relieve symptoms caused by cancer
Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of treatment for many cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, ovarian, prostate, lymphoma, leukemia, and other malignancies.
How might chemotherapy fit into your treatment plan?
Chemotherapy is often used alongside other treatments as part of a comprehensive cancer care plan.
Neoadjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy may be given before other treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy to shrink a tumor and improve treatment outcomes.
Adjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy may be given after other treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy to help eliminate remaining cancer cells that may not be visible on imaging tests and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Combined treatment: Chemotherapy may be given together with other treatments.
Many patients receive chemotherapy in combination with immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or clinical trial treatments.
What should I expect while on chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is typically given in cycles, which include treatment periods followed by planned recovery time. Depending on your treatment plan, chemotherapy may be administered weekly, every 2 weeks, every 3 weeks, or on another schedule designed specifically for your cancer.
During treatment, your care team will closely monitor your progress through:
- Blood tests
- Physical examinations
- Imaging studies when needed
- Ongoing evaluation of side effects and treatment response
Many patients continue working, exercising, traveling, and participating in daily activities during treatment, though some adjustments may be necessary.
Understanding the Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Because chemotherapy affects rapidly dividing cells, some healthy cells can also be affected. Side effects vary widely depending on the medications used and the individual receiving treatment.
Common side effects may include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Appetite changes
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Increased risk of infection
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Changes in taste
Importantly, not everyone experiences side effects, and many patients experience fewer side effects than they expect. Advances in supportive care, anti-nausea medications, scalp cooling technology, growth factor support, and symptom management have made chemotherapy significantly more manageable than in the past.
How best can I prepare for chemotherapy treatment?
As you begin chemotherapy, we recommend:
- Bring a family member or friend to appointments.
- Keep a list of questions for your care team.
- Stay hydrated and maintain good nutrition.
- Report symptoms early rather than waiting.
- Accept help from family, friends, and caregivers when needed.
- Ask about the Supportive Cancer Care Program at Virginia Cancer Specialists whose symptom and side effect support can often make a meaningful difference in your quality of life.
- Ask your care team to connect you with nurse navigators, dietitians, social workers, financial counselors, support groups, and other specialists who can help throughout treatment.
Related Treatment Areas & Resources
Radiation Therapy
Scalp Cooling
Supportive Cancer Care
Immunotherapy
Ready to Make an Appointment?
If you have questions about whether this treatment or service may be right for you, make an appointment with the Virginia Cancer Specialists team.