Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that is often combined with surgery or radiation therapy. Certain drugs are used to destroy cancer cells in this type of cancer treatment. These drugs target and destroy exponentially multiplying cells. It can help to shrink tumours and prevent cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. At Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre, our highly-professional oncologists use chemotherapy to treat a variety of cancer types and stages, including breast cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, leukaemia, and other cancers.

Based on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease, there are various methods to administer chemotherapy, such as, orally (in pill form), intravenously (through a vein), injected into a muscle, or topically (applied directly to the skin). It’s not a one-time procedure; the patient requires more doses after certain intervals as suggested by the doctors. A full-scale check-up of a patient takes place via tests and scans before the therapy. The patient needs to be kept hydrated to negate the side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, etc. This occurs because cancer cells also target the healthy cells in the body such as hair follicles and cells lining the digestive tract. In such cases, the doctor will provide supportive medications or supportive care measures to manage these side effects.