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Chemotherapy is an important part of cancer treatment for many patients. At Rocky Mountain Oncology, our medical oncology team develops an individualized treatment plan based on your diagnosis, overall health, treatment goals, and established cancer care guidelines.
There are many different chemotherapy medications, and treatment is not the same for every cancer or every patient. Depending on your treatment plan, medications may be given through an IV infusion, taken by mouth, given by injection, or delivered through a combination of methods. Chemotherapy may also be used alongside other treatments, including radiation therapy or surgery.
Throughout your treatment, our team will help you understand what to expect, answer your questions, monitor how you are responding, and help manage potential side effects.
Chemotherapy uses medications to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth and division. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, chemotherapy may be used to:
Advances in cancer treatment have provided physicians with more options for selecting therapies based on the characteristics of a patient’s cancer.
Your medical oncologist will discuss the recommended treatment with you, including its goals, potential benefits, possible side effects, and what you can expect throughout treatment.
No single chemotherapy treatment is appropriate for every cancer. Your medical oncologist will consider several factors when developing your treatment plan, including your type of cancer, its stage and characteristics, your overall health, previous treatments, and your individual treatment goals.
Your care may involve traditional chemotherapy or other forms of systemic cancer treatment, including targeted therapy or hormone therapy when appropriate.
Targeted therapies are designed to act on specific proteins, genes, or other characteristics involved in the growth and survival of certain cancer cells.
Testing may help your physician determine whether your cancer has a particular characteristic that can be targeted by an available treatment. Because these therapies work differently from traditional chemotherapy, their potential benefits and side effects can also be different.
Targeted therapy may be used on its own or in combination with chemotherapy or other cancer treatments, depending on your diagnosis.
Some cancers depend on naturally occurring hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone, to grow.
Hormone therapy works by reducing the body’s production of certain hormones or interfering with their ability to affect cancer cells. This can help slow or stop the growth of hormone-sensitive cancers.
Hormone therapy is commonly used as part of treatment for certain breast and prostate cancers, although whether it is appropriate depends on the individual cancer and patient.
Knowing what to expect can make beginning treatment feel more manageable. Your Rocky Mountain Oncology care team will explain your specific treatment schedule and help prepare you before your first treatment.
Before Treatment
Depending on the medications you receive, your care team may recommend an implanted port for IV treatments. A port is a small device placed beneath the skin that provides access to a vein and can be used to administer medications, fluids, and certain treatments or to collect blood samples.
Not every patient needs a port. Your healthcare team will discuss whether one is appropriate for your treatment.
During Your Infusion
If your treatment is given by IV, you’ll receive it in our infusion area under the care of our clinical team. We want you to feel as comfortable and supported as possible throughout your visit.
Treatment times vary considerably depending on the medications prescribed. Some infusions may be relatively short, while others can take several hours. Certain treatments may also require a portable infusion pump that continues delivering medication after you leave the center.
Before treatment begins, we’ll explain your schedule and make sure you understand what to expect.
Treatment Cycles
Chemotherapy is often administered in cycles. A period of active treatment is followed by time for your body to recover before the next treatment.
The length and number of cycles depend on your specific diagnosis, medications, response to treatment, and overall treatment plan. Your oncology team will monitor your progress throughout treatment and make adjustments when appropriate.
Managing Side Effects
Side effects vary depending on the medications you receive and how your body responds to them. They may include fatigue, nausea, changes in appetite, hair loss, mouth sores, or changes in blood cell counts and immune function.
Your care team may provide medications and other supportive treatments to help prevent or manage side effects. We’ll also explain which symptoms may be expected and which should prompt you to contact our office.
If something doesn’t feel right or you have questions during treatment, we want to hear from you. Our team is here to help throughout your care.
Choosing where to receive cancer care is an important decision. At Rocky Mountain Oncology, our approach brings together advanced treatment, experienced specialists, and personalized support — all while allowing patients to remain close to the people and communities they know.