Cancer Institute

The term chemotherapy refers to the use of drugs to treat cancer. These drugs work by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, therefore leading to cell death.

Chemotherapy can be administered in a variety of ways. Treatment of the entire body is called systemic chemotherapy, while treatment of localized areas is called regional chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with other treatments, such as radiation or surgery, and is then termed adjuvant chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy has a more limited role in treating primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), but it is very commonly used for other types of liver tumors.

The actual treatment regimen given will depend on the type of cancer and the extent of the disease. A drug may be taken every day, every week, or every month. It may be delivered in cycles alternated with a resting period during which no drug is taken.

The chemotherapy regimen is considered to be effective if it causes the cancer cells to shrink, to stop growing, or to die.

Because anti-cancer drugs attempt to kill cancer cells, many of them will also attack and kill healthy cells. The side effects of chemotherapy are a direct result of the killing of healthy cells.

The chemotherapy drugs chosen vary with the specific type of cancer present. The regimen that is best for your case will be chosen by your medical oncologist. At Allegheny General Hospital, our liver surgeons work closely with a team of medical oncologists to develop treatment plans that combine chemotherapy with local treatments whenever possible.  We can also work with your local oncologist if you have one already.

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that, whenever possible, the cancer is attacked from multiple angles to improve the chance for a cure.