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Chemotherapy (also called chemo) is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to damage and ultimately destroy cancer cells.
How Does Chemotherapy Work?
Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. But it can also harm healthy cells that divide quickly, such as those that line your mouth and intestines or cause your hair to grow. Damage to healthy cells may cause side effects. Often, side effects get better or go away after chemotherapy is over. Chemotherapy works best if the cancer cells do not recover as well as the normal cells. Exploiting the difference in the sensitivity of cancer cells as opposed to normal cells is central to effective chemotherapy treatments.
What Does Chemotherapy Do?
Depending on your type of cancer and how advanced it is, chemotherapy can:
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 7/30/2014
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Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy and Your Daily Life
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Chemotherapy - Experience - Drugs
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Chemotherapy - Daily Life
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Chemotherapy - Side Effects
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