Chemotherapy

FAQs & Patient Stories

Chemotherapy or chemo is one of the most common types of cancer treatments that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Below, find answers to popular chemotherapy questions and experiences of chemotherapy shared by The Patient Story community.

General Chemotherapy FAQ

How does chemotherapy work?

Chemotherapy or chemo is used to stop or slow down growth of cancer cells. It can cure or treat cancer, control cancer, and/or help ease the symptoms of cancer (palliative care).

Cure or treat cancer: This is when chemotherapy is able to destroy cancer cells to the point where your medical team cannot see or detect them in your body, and they do not grow back.
Control cancer: This is when chemotherapy is able to stop the spread of cancer, slows cancer cell growth, or destroy cancer cells in the spread to other parts of your body (metastasis).
Easing symptoms (palliative care): This is when chemotherapy is able to shrink down tumors that cause pressure, discomfort, and pain.

Who should get chemotherapy?

This depends case by case. Chemotherapy can be given alone, but many times it is used alongside other cancer treatments and therapies based on the cancer type and behavior.

How does chemo work alongside other therapies and treatments?

Used as a part of a treatment plan, chemo can act in multiple ways:

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Shrinks tumors before radiation therapy or surgery.
Adjuvant chemotherapy: Destroys cancer cells that may linger even after other treatment, like radiation therapy or surgery.
Chemo can make other treatments more effective.
Chemo can destroy cancer cells that have spread to other parts of your body (metastasis) or that have returned (refractory and relapsed cases of cancer).

Chemotherapy side effects

Chemotherapy works by using drugs to kill rapidly-growing cancer cells. That means it also kills or slows the growth of healthy fast-growing cells, like those in your intestines, scalp, and mouth lining.

This leads to many side effects, which usually lessen and disappear after you’ve finished chemotherapy.

For more on various side effects with different cancers, check out these cancer treatment side effect stories from our community.

Here’s a list of the most common (but not all) side effects:

Anemia
Appetite loss
Bleeding and bruising (Thrombocytopenia)
Constipation
Delirium
Diarrhea
Edema (Swelling)
Fatigue
Fertility issues
Flu-like symptoms
Hair loss (Alopecia)
Infection and neutropenia

Lymphedema
Memory, concentration problems (“Chemo Brain/Fog”)
Mouth and throat problems
Mucositis (mouth sores)
Nausea, vomiting
Nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy)
Immunotherapy and organ-related inflammation
Pain
Sexual health issues
Skin and nail changes
Sleep problems, insomnia
Urinary and bladder problems

Chemotherapy Stories and Experiences

Here are different experiences with chemotherapies and chemotherapy regimens, as told by our TPS community members.

ABVD

Get all the information about the ABVD chemotherapy regimen, used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma. Here you’ll also find patient stories.

→ Read more

Adriamycin (doxorubicin)

Adriamycin, also known for the generic name doxorubicin, is a chemotherapy drug used for treating a variety of cancers. It is sometimes known as the “Red Devil” because of its bright red color and typically more harsh side effects.

Click here to go to our Adriamycin (doxorubicin) page

Cancers commonly treated:

Breast
Ovarian
Leukemia: acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Sarcoma
Wilms tumor
Neuroblastoma

Adriamycin patient stories

Francina B., Breast Cancer, Stage 2B

Initial Symptoms: None

Treatment: Surgery (lumpectomy, removal of cancerous sentinel nodes), chemotherapy, radiation

Lauren B., Breast and Colon Cancer, Stage 4

Symptoms: Lump in left breast that grew; strange appearance of nipple

Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, complementary treatments

Joe F., Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors (DSRCT)

Symptoms: Mild abdominal pain, fatigue

Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation

Callan R., Testicular Cancer, Stage 3

Symptom: Lump in right testicle

Treatments: Chemotherapy (cisplatin, doxorubicin, BEP, GemTaxol, TopCaT), surgery (orchiectomy), clinical trial (BNT142)

Chance O., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 2, BRCA1+

Symptom: Lump on breast
Treatments: Chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel, carboplatin), surgery (double mastectomy), radiation, radical hysterectomy (preventive)

BEP (Bleomycin, etoposide, platinum)

Cancers commonly treated: Testicular

Learn more about BEP chemotherapy →

Matthew O., Testicular Cancer (Non-Seminoma), Stage 3C

Symptoms: Fatigue, one swollen testicle

Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery
...

Hugo T., Testicular Cancer (Non-Seminoma), Stage 2B

Symptom: Pea-sized lump on right testicle

Treatments: Surgery (removal of right testicle, lymph node resection), chemotherapy
...

Steve L., Testicular Cancer (Non-Seminoma), Stage 3C

Symptoms: Grape-sized tumor on neck; hip and pelvis pain; tumor on right testicle

Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery (removal of right testicle, lymph node resection, and tumor dissection in the neck)
...

CAPOX (capecitabine, oxaliplatin)

Cancers commonly treated: Colorectal

Amrit R., Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma (Rare Appendix Cancer)

Symptoms: Persistent migraines, severe bloating, rapid weight loss elsewhere but abdominal enlargement, irregular menstrual cycles with heavy bleeding, facial rash and skin changes

Treatments: Surgery (cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC; removal of the appendix, spleen, gallbladder, ovaries, and omentum), chemotherapy
...

Paul K., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3

Symptoms: Frequent bowel movements, loose stools, blood spotting in stool
Treatments: Chemotherapy (CAPOX), radiation, upcoming surgery (colon resection)

...

Nick S., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4A

Symptoms: Change in bowel habits, size & consistency, blood in stool, abdominal pain, fatigue
Treatment: Surgery (sigmoid colectomy), chemotherapy (capecitabine, oxaliplatin), immunotherapy (bevacizumab, pembrolizumab)
...

Stephanie K., Colon Cancer, Stage 3

Symptoms: Very bad cramps, bloating, indigestion, burping
Treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy (CAPOX)
...

Amanda G., Colon Cancer, Stage 2A

Symptoms: Gurgly stomach, blood in stool, chronic constipation
Treatment: Surgery (hemicolectomy), chemotherapy (CAPOX), Zarxio
...

Carboplatin

Cancers commonly treated:

Ovarian
Head
Neck

Nicole L., Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4

Symptoms: Extreme abdominal pain, nausea when in a moving vehicle, frequent urge to urinate (often unsuccessful), chest pain
Treatment: Chemotherapy, surgery (removal of cancer from liver, diaphragm, bladder, small intestine; total hysterectomy), cold cap, PARP inhibitor
...

Ashley S., Adrenal Cancer, Stage 4

Symptoms: Swollen ankles, very low potassium levels

Treatment: Surgery (removal of tumor, open-heart surgery), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
...

Natalie B., Lung Cancer, Stage 4

Symptoms: Persistent cough, fatigue

Treatments: Chemotherapy; Immunotherapy; Clinical trials; Radiation (palliative)
...

Courtney H., High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Stage 3C, BRCA1+

Symptoms: Noticeable body changes, fatigue and frequent napping, random abdominal pain, severe constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss

Treatments: Chemotherapy (carboplatin & paclitaxel), PARP inhibitor (olaparib), surgery (interval debulking, thoracoscopic thymectomy)
...

Gigi D., High-Grade Serous Carcinoma, Stage 1A, HER2+, PR+, ER-

Symptoms: Hiccup-like sensations behind the sternum, gastrointestinal issues, spotting

Treatment: Chemotherapy (carboplatin & paclitaxel)
...

Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)

Cancers commonly treated:

LaShae R., IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B, ER+

Symptoms: Lump in breast, pain
Treatments: Chemotherapy (Taxotere and cyclophosphamide), proton radiation
...

Laura E., Multiple Myeloma, IgG kappa

Symptom: Increasing back pain
Treatments: Chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, bispecific antibodies
...

Christine E., Stage 3 Triple-Positive

Initial Symptom: Lump in left breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy (AC-T), lumpectomy, radiation
...

Renée F., Stage 2 Metastatic

Symptoms: Breast shaped differently, dimple in breast, flat nipple
Treatment: Chemotherapy, mastectomy
...

Eloxatin (oxaliplatin)

Cancers commonly treated: Colorectal

Emily K., Colon Cancer, Stage 4

Initial Symptoms: Abdominal pain, blood in stool

Treatment: Surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, clinical trials
...

Ken S., Colon Cancer, Stage 4

Initial Symptoms: Intermittent appearance of blood in stool; occasional diarrhea; increase in bowel movement frequency; fevers and chills; fatigue; weight loss
Treatment: Chemotherapy, surgery
...

Jeff S., Stomach Cancer, Stage 4

Symptoms: None; found during the evaluation process for kidney donation
Treatments: Surgery (partial gastrectomy & nephrectomy), chemotherapy (oxaliplatin & capecitabine), radiation
...

Alli M., Appendix Cancer, Stage 4

Symptom: Severe abdominal pain

Treatments: Surgeries (right hemisphere colectomy, appendectomy, HIPEC), chemotherapy
...

Etoposide

Cancers commonly treated:

Hugo T., Testicular Cancer (Non-Seminoma), Stage 2B

Symptom: Pea-sized lump on right testicle

Treatments: Surgery (removal of right testicle, lymph node resection), chemotherapy
...

Brandi B.,
Ewing Sarcoma (Soft Tissue), Stage 1B

Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, lump in pelvic area
Treatments:17 cycles of chemotherapy in-patient at hospital with (leg-sparing) surgery in between
...

Caroline C., Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia & Placental Cancer, Stage 3

Symptoms: Morning sickness & an unusually high beta hCG

Treatment: EMACO chemotherapy
...

Jennifer P., Neuroendocrine Tumor, Stage 4, High-Grade

Symptom: Pain in upper back
Treatments: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy
...

FOLFOX

Cancer details: Folinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin

Cancers commonly treated: Colorectal

Jennifer T., Colon Cancer, Stage 4

Symptoms: Weight loss, coughing, vomiting, sciatica pain, fatigue

Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy, lung wedge resection on both lungs), chemotherapy, immunotherapy
...

Scott M., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3

Initial Symptoms: Blood in stool
Treatment: Chemotherapy, surgery (ileostomy), radiation
...

Emily K., Colon Cancer, Stage 4

Initial Symptoms: Abdominal pain, blood in stool

Treatment: Surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, clinical trials
...

Melissa W., Gastric Adenocarcinoma, Stage 4B

Initial Symptoms: Feeling like something was in her throat, occasional nausea, acid reflux, occasional feeling of having boiling water in her stomach, soreness in the bottom of her ribcage

Treatment: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy
...

Fluorouracil (5FU)

Cancers commonly treated:

Melissa H., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 2B, IDC

Symptom: Lump in left breast

Treatments: Surgery (mastectomy), chemotherapy
...

Alison R., Partially Differentiated DCIS, Stage 4 Metastatic

Cancer details: Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in underarm/breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, targeted therapy
...

Jackie S., Rectal Adenocarcinoma, Stage 3B/4, Lynch Syndrome

Symptoms: Blood in stool, constipation

Treatments: Chemotherapy (oxaliplatin & 5FU), radiation, surgeries (rectal resection, total hysterectomy, ileostomy), immunotherapy
...

Lee J., Colon Cancer, Stage 4, Recurrence

Symptoms: None; discovered stage 4 cancer from unrelated CT scan
Treatment: Neoadjuvant chemo (FOLFOX), hemicolectomy (partial colon surgery), adjuvant chemo (FOLFOX), chemo post-recurrence (FOLFIRI), liver surgery
...

Raquel A., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4

Symptoms: Frequent bowel movements, pin-thin stools, mild red blood in stool
Treatment: Chemotherapy
...

Gemzar (gemcitabine)

Cancers commonly treated:

Angela J., Uterine Leiomyosarcoma, Stage 4

Initial Symptoms: Pain in the left hip, thigh, back, and abdominal area; difficulty passing stools, alternating with diarrhea; nausea; swollen abdomen and stomach; feeling full quickly; rapid weight gain

Treatment: Surgery (hysterectomy, partial salpingectomy); chemotherapy
...

Michelle R., Recurrent Bladder Cancer, Stage 1

Symptoms: Irregular occurrences of seeing streaks of blood in urine, specific type of pain when bladder is full, unexplained weight loss, urinary urgency, malaise, fatigue
Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery (TURBT: transurethral resection of bladder tumor)
...

Kirsty N., Stage 4 Squamous Cell

Symptoms: Persistent left flank pain, backache, fatigue, weight loss, traces of blood in urine, fluid in left kidney
Treatment: Chemotherapy (gemcitabine & carboplatin)
...

Roger R., Pancreatic Cancer, Stage 2

Initial Symptoms: None

Treatment: 5FU (folfirinox), Gemzar, NK cell expansion therapy, Dendritic cell expansion therapy, Neoantigen peptide vaccine
...

Herceptin (trastuzumab)

Cancers commonly treated:

Breast
Stomach
Esophageal

Lainie J., IDC, Stage 2, HER2+

Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, double mastectomy, radiation
...

Doug Blayney, MD

Oncologist: Specializing in breast cancer | HER2, Estrogen+, Triple Negative, Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy
Experience: 30+ years
Institution: Stanford Medical
...

Shari S., Stage 4, Metastatic, Triple Positive

Cancer details: Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
...

Renee N., IDC, Stage 3-4, HER2+

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomy, radiation
...

Idamycin (idarubicin)

Cancers commonly treated: Leukemia

Nicole T., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Symptoms: Severe itchiness, night sweats, fatigue
Treatments: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
...

Hayley A., Acute Monocytic Leukemia (AML-M5)

Symptoms: Severe fatigue, excessive bleeding after oral surgery
Treatments: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
...

Melphalan

Cancers commonly treated:

Cathy T., Myelofibrosis

Symptoms: None; caught at a routine blood test
Treatment: Stem cell transplant
...

Jenny A.

Symptoms: Nose bleeds, fatigue, back pain
Treatment: Chemotherapy, stem cell transplant
...

Samantha S., Relapsed Hodgkin’s

Symptoms: Fatigue, cough, enlarged lymph node
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (later changed to AVD), Brentuximab, Cyclophosphamide, BEAM chemotherapy, autologous bone marrow transplant
...

Valarie T.

Symptoms: Nose bleeds, fatigue, back pain
Treatment: Chemotherapy, stem cell transplant
...

Ray H., Multiple Myeloma, Stage 3

Symptoms: Hemorrhoids, low red blood cell count

Treatments: Immunotherapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant
...

Methotrexate

Cancers commonly treated:

Breast
Leukemia
Lung
Bone
Head and neck

Sara L., Crohn’s Disease

Initial Symptoms: Bloody stool, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movement, severe pain

Treatment: Corticosteroid therapy, tumor necrosis factor-alfa inhibitors, chemotherapy
...

Meghan B., Crohn’s Disease (IBD)

Symptoms: Persistent diarrhea, blood in stool, stomach pain
Treatments: Remicade (infliximab), Humira (adalimumab), Methotrexate, Entyvio (vedolizumab), Surgery (proctocolectomy)
...

Harriet C., Diffuse Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (DLBCL) Symptoms: Weight loss, difficulty walking, stomach pain, feeling unwell Treatment: Chemotherapy, EPOCH, methotrexate...

Sammie F., Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Stage 4
Symptoms: Chest pain, back pain, bump on neck, night sweats Treatments: Chemotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy...

Anna T., B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-ALL)

Symptoms: Heavy period for a few hours, fatigue, feverish, sweating, bruises on legs
Treatment: ECOG 10403
...

Navelbine (vinorelbine)

Cancers commonly treated: Lung

Ashley W., Desmoid Tumor

Symptoms: Leg tightness, increased swelling in leg
Treatments: Chemotherapy infusion (Methotrexate, Navelbene), oral chemotherapy (Nexovar)
...

Fabiola L., Hodgkin's, Stage 2BX

Cancer details: Stage 2 with bulky disease, relapsed after 1st chemo. Remission after 2nd chemo & bone marrow transplant
1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath, dry cough, fatigue
Treatment: ABVD chemo (6 cycles), IGEV chemo, bone marrow transplant, BEAM chemo, brentuximab
...

Oncovin (vincristine)

Cancers commonly treated:

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Perjeta (pertuzumab)

Cancers commonly treated: Breast, HER2-Positive. Usually administered alongside other chemo drugs.

→ TCHP chemotherapy regimen

Doug Blayney, MD

Oncologist: Specializing in breast cancer | HER2, Estrogen+, Triple Negative, Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy
Experience: 30+ years
Institution: Stanford Medical
...

Doreen D., IDC, Stage 2A, Triple Positive

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in left breast
Treatment: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (TCHP), lumpectomy, radiation
...

Platinol (cisplatin)

Cancers commonly treated:

Payton G., Lung Cancer, Stage 3A

Symptoms: Chronic phlegm in the chest; acid reflux; pain in the left side of her chest and back

Treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy
...

Kate R., Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Origin, Stage 3C

Symptoms: Intermittent spotting during or after sex, unpredictable menstrual cycle, abdominal pain particularly under the rib cage
Treatments: Chemotherapy (cisplatin & paclitaxel), immunotherapy (Keytruda), surgery (total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy & omentectomy)
...

Michael W., Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer, Stage 4

Symptom: None; caught at routine neck CT scan

Treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy (cisplatin), radiation
...

McKenzie E., Cervical Cancer, Stage 3C2

Symptoms: Severe abdominal & back cramping, persistent & extreme pain, heavy discharge & bleeding

Treatments: Radiation, chemotherapy (cisplatin), brachytherapy, immunotherapy (Keytruda)
...

Heidi N., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Stage 3A

Symptoms: None; unrelated chest CT scan revealed lung mass & enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes
Treatment: Chemoradiation
...

R-EPOCH

Complete overview of R-EPOCH

R – Rituximab
E – Etoposide Phosphate
P – Prednisone
O – Vincristine Sulfate (Oncovin)
C – Cyclophosphamide
H – Doxorubicin Hydrochloride (Hydroxydaunorubicin)

Taxol (paclitaxel)

Cancers commonly treated:

Shirley M., Lung Cancer, Stage 4

Initial Symptoms: Persistent cough, wheezing, back pain, shortness of breath
Treatment: Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation
...

Francina B., Breast Cancer, Stage 2B

Initial Symptoms: None

Treatment: Surgery (lumpectomy, removal of cancerous sentinel nodes), chemotherapy, radiation
...

Taxotere (docetaxel)

Cancers commonly treated:

Breast
Lung
Prostate
Sto m ach
Head and neck

LaShae R., IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B, ER+

Symptoms: Lump in breast, pain
Treatments: Chemotherapy (Taxotere and cyclophosphamide), proton radiation
...

Nikki M., Stage 3 HER2+ Inflammatory Diagnosis: Stage 3 Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symptoms: Centralized pain around the nipple, inverted nipple, swollen breast, differences in nipple color, warm-feeling breast Treatment: Chemotherapy, single mastectomy, radiotherapy...

Renée F., Stage 2 Metastatic

Symptoms: Breast shaped differently, dimple in breast, flat nipple
Treatment: Chemotherapy, mastectomy
...

Lainie J., IDC, Stage 2, HER2+

Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, double mastectomy, radiation
...

TCHP (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin, Perjeta)

Cancer details:

Complete overview of TCHP

T – Taxotere® (docetaxel)
C – Carboplatin
H – Herceptin® (trastuzumab)
P – Perjeta® (Pertuzumab)

Cancers commonly treated: Breast (early-stage)

Rach D., IDC, Stage 2, Triple Positive

Symptom: Lump in right breast

Treatments: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, double mastectomy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy
...

Xeloda (capecitabine)

Cancers commonly treated:

Alli M., Appendix Cancer, Stage 4

Symptom: Severe abdominal pain

Treatments: Surgeries (right hemisphere colectomy, appendectomy, HIPEC), chemotherapy
...

Elizabeth W., Colon Cancer, Stage 4

Initial Symptoms: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), B12 deficiency, Hypoalbuminemia

Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy
...

References

Chemotherapy

FAQs & Patient Stories

General Chemotherapy FAQ

How does chemotherapy work?

Who should get chemotherapy?

How does chemo work alongside other therapies and treatments?

Chemotherapy side effects

Chemotherapy Stories and Experiences

ABVD

Adriamycin (doxorubicin)

BEP (Bleomycin, etoposide, platinum)

CAPOX (capecitabine, oxaliplatin)

Carboplatin

Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)

Eloxatin (oxaliplatin)

Etoposide

FOLFOX

Fluorouracil (5FU)

Gemzar (gemcitabine)

Herceptin (trastuzumab)

Idamycin (idarubicin)

Melphalan

Methotrexate

Navelbine (vinorelbine)

Oncovin (vincristine)

Perjeta (pertuzumab)

Platinol (cisplatin)

R-EPOCH

Taxol (paclitaxel)

Taxotere (docetaxel)

TCHP (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin, Perjeta)

Xeloda (capecitabine)

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