The Duke Cancer Institute offers chemotherapy as an additional therapy in some cases to help our breast cancer patients become cancer free. Chemotherapy may be given in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or endocrine therapy.

Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. Because some normal cells, such as blood and hair cells, can be affected, side effects can occur.

If cancer has spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy may also be used to help control the cancer and reduce symptoms.

When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can affect cancer cells throughout the body.

Appointments

Learn how to make an appointment at the Duke Cancer Institute.