Chemotherapy targets and destroys fast-growing cancer cells. While it remains one of the most effective treatments for cancer, its side effects are often a source of concern. The good news is that chemotherapy has improved significantly in recent years, with many side effects becoming more manageable.
Unlike surgery or radiation, chemotherapy can serve as the primary — or even sole — treatment for certain cancers. It is also commonly used after other treatments, such as surgery, to eliminate any remaining cancer cells or to shrink a tumor in preparation for surgery or radiation.
At Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, our oncology and hematology specialists develop personalized treatment plans based on the latest advances in chemotherapy, surgical techniques and targeted radiation therapies. Chemotherapy may be delivered via infusion, injection or oral medication, and is always administered by a certified oncology nursing specialist.
Your chemotherapy team will select the most appropriate drugs based on several key factors, including the type and stage of your cancer, your overall health, any prior treatments and your personal goals and preferences.
Some chemotherapy drugs are also effective in treating non-cancerous conditions. For example, disorders affecting the bone marrow and blood cells may be treated with a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant. Additionally, low-dose chemotherapy can help manage autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis by calming an overactive immune system.
Traditional chemotherapy works by disrupting the DNA of fast-growing cells, which can affect both cancerous and healthy tissues. However, recent innovations offer more precise treatment options. These include immunotherapy, which activates the body’s immune system to fight tumor cells and targeted therapies that focus on specific markers found only in the tumor.
Chemotherapy continues to be a critical component in cancer care, especially for targeting cancer cells that cannot be surgically removed or directly treated with radiation. Today’s advancements make it possible to more precisely target tumors while minimizing side effects.
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Because chemotherapy treatment varies in duration and intensity, having a trusted care team nearby — in a familiar, supportive environment — is essential. Through the Bourland Radiation Oncology Center, GVMH offers a full-spectrum cancer care program, right here at home.
