The Global Community for Colon Cancer



Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and can affect cancer cells all over the body. Anticancer drugs are usually injected, but some may be given orally. You may be treated in an outpatient part of the hospital, at the doctor's office, or at home. Rarely is a hospital stay needed.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the specific drugs and the dose. The drugs can harm normal cells that divide rapidly. Your health care team can suggest ways to control many of these side effects. Most side effects usually go away after treatment ends.

The US National Cancer Institute has a helpful book for colon cancer patients on chemotherapy which can be found here.
Website Builder