Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, often called chemo, is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. The National Cancer Institute explains that chemo works against cancer by killing fast-growing cells, which is also why it causes side effects: it can harm healthy cells that divide quickly, such as those lining the mouth and intestines and those that make hair grow. NCI says the most common side effect is fatigue.

Chemo can be given as pills, as injections, or through an IV. Patients who need many rounds often have an implanted port or central catheter so nurses do not have to find a new vein each time.

Chemotherapy connects to litigation in several ways. Most side effects fade after treatment ends, but lawsuits over the breast cancer drug Taxotere alleged that the manufacturer failed to warn that its hair loss could be permanent. Implanted port devices used to deliver chemo are the subject of lawsuits alleging fractures, clots, and infections; see our Bard port catheter page. And many product liability cases, such as those over hair relaxers or Roundup, involve people whose cancer required chemotherapy, which becomes part of the damages because of its cost and physical toll.

If chemotherapy is part of your injury claim, keep a record of each treatment date, the drugs used, and side effects you experienced. These details help show the full impact of the illness. Treatment decisions belong with your oncologist; this entry is for understanding the term, not medical advice.