Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may receive their treatments at the Diagnostic Clinic.

Chemotherapy is a term cancer specialists use to refer to medicine used to kill cancer.  Our team of oncology specialists work closely with patients and their families to provide the best possible care to increase the odds of survival and to help patients live as actively and comfortably as possible during the treatment period.

Generally, chemotherapy is administered into a vein and will affect cancer cells anywhere in the body. Because chemotherapy kills rapidly dividing cancer cells, it also kills other rapidly dividing healthy cells in our bodies (the membranes lining the mouth, the gastrointestinal tract lining, hair follicles and bone marrow). The side effects of chemotherapy relate to these areas of damaged cells.

Side effects of chemotherapy

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Hand & foot rashes
• Diarrhea
• Increased risk of infection
• Bleeding or bruising from minor injuries
• Anemia
• Fatigue

Chemotherapy side effects depend upon the drug and the individual. Side effects related to chemotherapy will resolve when chemotherapy is stopped, although it may take some time.  Be sure to talk with your care team about how chemo works and any side effects you experience while receiving chemo medication.

Learn more by checking out our Chemotherapy Terminology Glossary.