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Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill fast-growing cells (like cancer cells) or to keep them from dividing (which is how cancers grow). It is a systemic treatment. This means the medicines will travel throughout your body and destroy cancer cells wherever they may be.
Chemotherapy is given in cycles. You’ll get a dose and then have a rest period, usually two to three weeks, before the next treatment.
Your hematologist-oncologist at Fred Hutch Cancer Center prescribes your chemotherapy and other medicine-based treatments, like targeted therapies. They also set your treatment schedule.
Leukemia Care Tailored to You
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.
How Chemotherapy is Used to Treat Leukemia
For leukemia, chemotherapy is the most common first treatment (and there are more treatment options). Your hematologist-oncologist will talk with you about the goals of this systemic therapy based on the details of your cancer and your individual needs and wishes.
Systemic Chemotherapy
Systemic chemotherapy is given by infusion (put into a vein). This can be a line in your arm (peripheral venous catheter) or a port in your chest (central venous catheter), depending on the therapy. The chemotherapy travels throughout your body. It can be used to control the cancer and related symptoms, improve your quality of life and help you live longer. Treatment happens in repeating cycles.
You get infusions in a dedicated area at the Sloan Clinic. Cancer nurses who are experts in infusions will give you these treatments. They will also check on you during the treatment. They will handle any medical issues that come up and help keep you comfortable.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Chemotherapy for Leukemia
At Fred Hutch, patients get hematology oncology (blood cancer) care from leading physicians who specialize in leukemia. They are experts in their field and in giving medicines for leukemia. We often have clinical trials testing new drugs or new combinations of drugs for leukemia. We are able to offer therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
Your Fred Hutch hematologist-oncologist will design a treatment plan based on your leukemia type and your overall health. They will work closely with you and your care team, including an advanced practice provider and registered nurse, to manage any chemotherapy side effects. Your whole team helps you take the best possible care of yourself during treatment.
Your care team at Fred Hutch is here to help you prevent or prepare for side effects and to relieve any side effects you have. The most important step you can take is to speak up and let your team know what you’re feeling. We’ve helped many patients and families through this process and know ways to ease your experience. The Fred Hutch Patient Education team has video resources that go over how to keep common side effects at bay.
Often, there are medicines to help, like anti-nausea drugs. Based on the side effect, there may be a range of other helpful options too, like diet changes, physical therapy and emotional and practical support. We also offer integrative medicine, including acupuncture.