Chemotherapy

Definition

Chemotherapy is defined as the use of chemical agents for treatment. Chemotherapy as used for cancer generally refers to small molecules that damage proliferating cells. It represents systemic treatment in contrast to radiotherapy and surgery that represent local treatment. Classes of systemic agents may also include hormones, cytokines, and antitumor vaccines.

http://www.chemocare.com/whatis/important_chemotherapy_terms.asp

Characteristics

The Challenge

Cancer is the most feared, morbid, and mortal of diseases. In the USA, five million people contract cancer per year, of whom one third, or almost half a million citizens, will die of their disease. Most cancers start in a specific location (e.g., breast, lung) and spread to regional lymph nodes; in breast cancer, spread is to the armpit and subsequent dissemination by the bloodstream to distant organs. For cancers that are diagnosed before such dissemination, local treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy may be curative....