How Long Does Chemotherapy Take?

How Long Does Chemotherapy Take?

Each chemotherapy drug is administered on its own schedule. Many chemotherapy agents are administered in cycles that typically last several weeks. You may have several cycles. Chemotherapy often takes three to six months. Your treatment may differ since all chemotherapy agents have a different schedule. 

How Does Chemotherapy Work?

Chemotherapy can be administered on the skin, orally, or through an IV. We will explain the details of your treatment plan, so you know what to expect. Chemotherapy drugs can work in several ways, including:

Alkylating Agents

These agents damage the DNA of cancer cells. This keeps them from reproducing and spreading. These agents are often used to treat lung, breast, and ovarian cancer, sarcomas, and lymphoma. 

Antimetabolites

These drugs keep cells from dividing by interfering with DNA when it tries to make copies of itself. They replace the standard components of DNA so the cells cannot reproduce. These drugs have many uses, including leukemia and breast and ovarian cancers. 

Antitumor Agents

These drugs interfere with the enzymes that cells use to copy and build their DNA. When these enzymes do not work, cancer cells cannot make copies of their DNA and cannot create new cancer cells. These drugs have a wide range of uses.