Definition and scope of chemotherapy

Summary

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapeutic agents, including alkylating agents) given in standard regimens. It may be used with curative intent—often involving combinations of drugs—or to prolong life and reduce symptoms in a palliative setting. In modern usage, chemotherapy refers to the non-specific action of intracellular poisons that inhibit mitosis (cell division) or induce DNA damage, rather than more selective therapies that block extracellular signaling. The scope of chemotherapy extends beyond cancer cell killing: it is a major part of medical oncology and is typically systemic therapy, meaning drugs are introduced into the bloodstream and can treat cancer throughout the body. Chemotherapy is often combined with local treatments such as surgery, radiation, and hyperthermia. Because many side effects arise from damage to normal rapidly dividing cells (e.g., bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles), chemotherapy’s overall impact includes both tumor control and predictable toxicities, which influence dosing schedules and treatment planning.

Key Points

• 1

  Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs in standard regimens and can be curative or palliative.

• 2

  It primarily works through non-specific intracellular effects such as inhibiting mitosis and/or inducing DNA damage.

• 3

  Chemotherapy is systemic therapy and is commonly combined with local treatments like surgery and radiation.

• 4

  Its scope includes managing treatment cycles and toxicities caused by effects on normal rapidly dividing tissues.