Cancer Care
Chemotherapy/Biotherapy

Because cancer is many different diagnoses, one or more drugs in a variety of combinations may be used to treat your particular type of cancer. This treatment is called chemotherapy. Chemotherapy works by keeping cancer cells from multiplying. Chemotherapy is sometimes given in addition to radiation and surgery.

Your physician will order medications which are effective in treating your particular cancer. The choice of medications will depend on the type and location of the cancer, the stage of the cancer and the effectiveness of the medication.

Chemotherapy may be given by mouth or intravenously. It may be ordered daily, weekly or monthly. Sometimes treatment is given over longer intervals that include rest periods. This gives your body a chance to recover between treatments. The length of time your physician needs to keep you on chemotherapy may vary from several months to years. The treatment is aimed specifically at what you need for your type of cancer.

You may receive your treatment at MSTI, at the hospital or at home. The location of your treatment will depend on the type of medication you receive.

To make chemotherapy easier to tolerate:

• Eat a well-balanced diet; ask for a nutritional consult if you need to.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Find out as much as possible about your disease and how it is treated. The more you know, the less you fear.
• Limit your activities if you are tired.
• Look for new ways to deal with your illness. Meditation, relaxation or exercise may be helpful.
• Set realistic goals.
• Try new hobbies and learn new skills.
• Exercise to promote self-esteem, relieve anger or tension and improve appetite.
• Eat a light meal one hour before chemotherapy treatments.
• Avoid big meals on the day you receive chemotherapy; eat frequent light meals throughout the day.
• Take the prescribed antinausea medicine.