Chemotherapy
Understanding Your Options
General
Chemotherapy means any drug which is given to treat cancer, but nowadays normally is used to refer to so called cytotoxic drugs, which kill cancer cells normally by attacking the mechanisms that cells use to divide. Because chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cancer cells it can also damage some of the normal cells in the body, particularly if they also divide rapidly. Examples of these include hair follicles, the cells that line the intestine and bone marrow cells (which produce red and white blood cells and platelets). For this reason chemotherapy may cause side effects such as hair loss, mouth ulcers and low white blood cells.
Chemotherpy Treatment
Chemotherapy can be given in different ways but typically is given either orally (by mouth) in tablet form, or intravenously either as short injections or as longer infusions. Sometimes chemotherapy can be given as a constant intravenous infusion via a pump which patients take home with them. Intravenous chemotherapy is normally given on the oncology unit at the Nuffield hospital, but some treatments can also be given in patients’ own homes.
The Partners
We are a partnership of leading consultants providing the highest quality personalised care across a range of cancers. Whatever your stage of treatment, we have a dedicated team to support you.
Dr Hugo Ford
Hugo Ford is a consultant medical oncologist and the Director of Cancer Services at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Dr David Gilligan
David Gilligan is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Cambridge University Hospitals (Addenbrooke's) and Papworth Hospitals in Cambridge and Associate Lecturer, University of Cambridge. He is the Clinical Lead for Acute Oncology at Addenbrooke's.