What is chemotherapy?

In general, chemotherapy involves the use of medications to shrink or kill cancerous cells. These medications may be taken intravenously (IV) or as pills.

There are many different types of chemotherapy available, and protocols vary between types of cancer.  Additionally, new drugs are being developed at a rapid rate.

Who determines if I will receive chemotherapy?

Your medical oncologist will use evidence-based guidelines and clinical expertise to choose the drug, or combination of drugs, that will be the most effective for your tumor. Your physician will also choose treatments that minimize side-effects as much as possible.

Where will I receive chemotherapy?

You can choose to receive your chemotherapy treatments at:

• Connecticut Oncology Group
• The Middlesex Health Cancer Center
• The Outpatient Infusion Center at Middlesex Hospital
• Your doctor’s office

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a technique that uses the body's immune system to help fight cancer by stimulating the immune response of the lymph system. This boosts the body's natural defenses to fight cancer.

Cancer can survive as an intruder in your body because your immune system has difficulty recognizing it as a problem. Immunotherapy helps your immune system "see" the cancer and attack it.

What cancers are treated using immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is transforming the treatment protocols for:

• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma (skin cancer)

Hormone therapy is sometimes used as part of a cancer treatment in order to add, block, or remove hormones from the body. This helps to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.