Lung Cancer: Medical Oncology Chemotherapy destroys cells by
stopping them from growing or multiplying. Healthy cells may
also be harmed, especially cells that divide rapidly. Most side
effects of chemotherapy are the result of harm caused to healthy
cells. However, healthy cells usually regrow after chemotherapy
treatment. The goals of chemotherapy are cure, control or
palliation (control of symptoms) and comfort. While surgery and
radiation therapy destroy cancer cells in a specific area,
chemotherapy works systematically (throughout the body) by
destroying cancer cells that have metastasized (spread) from the
primary (original) site. The body regulates the production of
dividing cells by maintaining a balance between birth and death
of cells. The body’s maintenance of this balance (homeostasis)
is disturbed when cancer occurs, and cells grow out of control.
Today, there are more than 100 chemotherapy drugs used in
various combinations. A single drug may be used for treatment,
but more likely your treatment