Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with drugs that can destroy cancer cells by impeding their growth and reproduction.

Chemotherapy is prescribed in cases of recurrent or advanced prostate cancer that has not responded to hormone treatment, but it is usually not used to treat early stage disease.

Chemotherapy is given in cycles of treatment followed by a recovery period. The entire treatment usually lasts three to six months depending on the type of chemotherapy medications given. Generally chemotherapy is given to cause the cancer to shrink and hopefully disappear.

If you have questions about chemotherapy, its uses, and specific side effects of the treatment, ask your doctor