Types of Chemotherapy Treatments

More than 100 drugs are currently used for chemotherapy. These medicines vary widely in chemical composition, how they are taken, and side effects. The type or types of chemotherapy drugs used depend on the kind of cancer you have, whether you have had chemotherapy before, and your overall health. Some chemotherapy drugs are used for many different types of cancer, while others might be used for very select types of cancer. Only your doctor can decide what is appropriate for you.

Chemotherapy drugs are usually divided into groups based on how they work, their chemical structure, and their relationship with other drugs. Oncologists use this information to prescribe drugs that are likely to work well together, if more than one drug is used.

For more information on the various types of chemotherapy drugs, please visit or