How Does Chemotherapy Kill Cancer Cells?

How Does Chemotherapy Work?

Chemotherapy drugs disrupt cancer cells’ ability to divide and grow. These drugs target rapidly dividing cells, which is a characteristic of cancer cells. When the drugs are introduced into the body, they circulate through the bloodstream and attack cancer cells throughout the body. Once inside the cancer cell, the drugs interfere with its ability to divide and replicate by damaging its DNA or other important cellular processes. 

By killing cancer cells or stopping them from dividing and growing, chemotherapy can shrink tumors and slow or stop the spread of cancer. However, because chemotherapy drugs can also affect healthy cells, the treatment can have side effects.

What to Expect During Chemotherapy

You’ll most likely receive chemotherapy through an IV at our luxurious Sierra Vista facility. Most patients can drive themselves to and from their chemo appointments. 

Each patient will have a unique treatment schedule based on the type and stage of their cancer. Typically, you will receive chemotherapy on a cycle that gives your body time to recover between treatments. The duration of chemotherapy can vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on your body’s response.

You should expect to have some side effects from chemotherapy. The Cochise Oncology team will give you advice for managing these side effects, and we’ll adjust your treatment as necessary. The most common side effects of chemotherapy include the following:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Bleeding and bruising
• Nausea and vomiting
• Infection
• Mood swings
• Fertility problems