Chemotherapy
FirstHealth offers state-of-the-art chemotherapy treatments in our new comprehensive cancer center on the Moore Regional Hospital campus in Pinehurst. Care teams all work together under one roof, treating patients and supporting caregivers as they move through cancer treatment and into recovery.
Comprehensive Care
Chemotherapy is a treatment for cancer that uses chemicals to stop cancer cells from growing. Chemotherapy is designed to kill cancer cells and can be administered through a vein, injected into a body cavity, or delivered orally in the form of a pill, depending on which drug is used. Your doctor will talk to you about the best route for the chemotherapy medication(s). Oral chemotherapy is any drug you are taking by mouth to treat your cancer. Oral chemo does not need to be injected into the body. Chemo taken by mouth is as strong as the other forms and works just as well.
Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. It is used to treat cancer and also can be used to ease cancer symptoms. Chemotherapy is used to treat many forms of cancer and is often used in conjunction with additional types of treatment.
Side Effects
Chemotherapy can kill cancer cells but it may also kill or slow the growth of healthy cells, like those that line your mouth or cause your hair to grow. Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects such as nausea, mouth sores and hair loss. Side effects from chemotherapy often get better following treatment.
Another common side effect is fatigue. FirstHealth offers many ways to help patients both learn about and manage the side effects of cancer treatments.
Delivery of Chemo Treatments
FirstHealth offers chemotherapy treatments in our comprehensive cancer center. Most treatments are offered in an outpatient setting, with expert infusion teams delivering care and helping manage any possible side effects.
Your treatment schedule will be based on your type of cancer and how often you need treatment. This can be impacted by your type and how advanced your cancer is and whether chemo is being used to cure cancer, control its growth or ease symptoms. Chemotherapy may also be delivered in cycles. For example, you may receive chemo treatments every day for one week followed by three weeks without treatments.
