Chemotherapy is one of the most prevalent methods for combating cancer. This treatment approach employs anti-cancer medications to cure or manage the proliferation of cancerous cells. Typically, chemotherapy manifests in two primary forms: systemic and regional. In regional chemotherapy, drugs target specific areas harboring cancer cells, while systemic chemotherapy involves administering cancer medications directly into the bloodstream to combat cancer cells throughout the body.

The mechanism of chemotherapy works by stopping the rapid growth and division of cancer cells. Unlike healthy cells, which possess regulatory mechanisms to manage their growth, cancer cells in malignant tumors lack such controls. Consequently, they proliferate uncontrollably, often spreading to vital organs. Chemotherapy intervenes by targeting these fast-multiplying cancer cells, effectively killing them off or, in some cases, regulating and restraining their growth and division.

Depending on the cancer type, oncologists may prescribe chemotherapy as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with radiation therapy or surgery. In certain scenarios, novel anti-cancer drugs may complement chemotherapy regimens. Chemotherapy drugs can be administered through various methods, including oral pills, injections, or intravenous infusions.