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Chemotherapy: About this Treatment
About Chemotherapy
This group of medications stops the growth of rapidly dividing cells in the body, both cancerous and noncancerous. While powerful, chemotherapy can cause more side effects than other medication types. Chemotherapy is a treatment option for many cancers, but there are cancers that respond better to other types of medication, surgery, or radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy is a treatment option for many cancers. It may be recommended for early stage cancers, metastatic cancers, and if cancer recurs.
Our cancer care teams commonly recommend chemotherapy in addition to surgery, radiation therapy, and other drugs. You may have chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink the tumor or chemotherapy or after surgery (adjuvant) to kill any cancer that may remain. Studies show that many cancers respond well to a low-dose chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy in a regimen called chemoradiation.
Our Clinics
Stanford Cancer Center provides a warm, supportive environment that enables patients and families to stay in one location for procedures and tests and focus on healing.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-498-6000 Getting Here »
Learn More About Chemotherapy
Our Approach
About this Treatment
Learn about the conditions treated, risks, techniques, and types of chemotherapy.
Patient Care Resources
Learn what to expect as you go through the early steps of your care.