Chemotherapy FAQ
Cancer Treatment
Stories

Chemotherapy or chemo is one of the most common types of cancer treatments that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Below, find answers to popular chemotherapy questions and experiences of chemotherapy shared by The Patient Story community.

General Chemotherapy FAQ

How does chemotherapy work?

Chemotherapy or chemo is used to stop or slow down growth of cancer cells. It can cure or treat cancer, control cancer, and/or help ease the symptoms of cancer (palliative care).

Cure or treat cancer: This is when chemotherapy is able to destroy cancer cells to the point where your medical team cannot see or detect them in your body, and they do not grow back.
Control cancer: This is when chemotherapy is able to stop the spread of cancer, slows cancer cell growth, or destroy cancer cells in the spread to other parts of your body (metastasis).
Easing symptoms (palliative care): This is when chemotherapy is able to shrink down tumors that cause pressure, discomfort, and pain.

Who should get chemotherapy?

This depends case by case. Chemotherapy can be given alone, but many times it is used alongside other cancer treatments and therapies based on the cancer type and behavior.

How does chemo work alongside other therapies and treatments?

Used as a part of a treatment plan, chemo can act in multiple ways:

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Shrinks tumors before radiation therapy or surgery.
Adjuvant chemotherapy: Destroys cancer cells that may linger even after other treatment, like radiation therapy or surgery.
Chemo can make other treatments more effective.
Chemo can destroy cancer cells that have spread to other parts of your body (metastasis) or that have returned (refractory and relapsed cases of cancer).

Chemotherapy side effects

Chemotherapy works by using drugs to kill rapidly-growing cancer cells. That means it also kills or slows the growth of healthy fast-growing cells, like those in your intestines, scalp, and mouth lining.

This leads to many side effects, which usually lessen and disappear after you’ve finished chemotherapy.

For more on various side effects with different cancers, check out these cancer treatment side effect stories from our community.

Here’s a list of the most common (but not all) side effects:

Anemia
Appetite loss
Bleeding and bruising (Thrombocytopenia)
Constipation
Delirium
Diarrhea
Edema (Swelling)
Fatigue
Fertility issues
Flu-like symptoms
Hair loss (Alopecia)
Infection and neutropenia

Lymphedema
Memory, concentration problems (“Chemo Brain/Fog”)
Mouth and throat problems
Mucositis (mouth sores)
Nausea, vomiting
Nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy)
Immunotherapy and organ-related inflammation
Pain
Sexual health issues
Skin and nail changes
Sleep problems, insomnia
Urinary and bladder problems

Chemotherapy Stories and Experiences

Here are different experiences with chemotherapies and chemotherapy regimens, as told by our TPS community members.

ABVD

Get all the information about the ABVD chemotherapy regimen, used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma. Here you’ll also find patient stories.

→ Read more

Adriamycin (doxorubicin)

Adriamycin, also known for the generic name doxorubicin, is a chemotherapy drug used for treating a variety of cancers. It is sometimes known as the “Red Devil” because of its bright red color and typically more harsh side effects.

Cancers commonly treated:

Breast
Ovarian
Leukemia: acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Sarcoma
Wilms tumor
Neuroblastoma

Adriamycin patient stories

Sheryl’s Mantle Cell Lymphoma Story: MCL, Stage 4| The Patient Story

Sheryl Brian, Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Stage 4

1st Symptoms: (Over 15 years) Skin irritation from temperature changes, rising WBC levels, unexplained fatigue, retinal hemorrhage, hardened abdomen (from enlarged spleen)
Treatment: 6 cycles Hyper-CVAD chemotherapy
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Mara Thrasher, Stage 2BX (Bulky Disease) | The Patient Story

Mara Thrasher, Stage 2BX (Bulky)

1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath, back pains, daily migraines
Treatment: 3 rounds of ABVD, 3 rounds AVD, Radiation
Topics: Self-advocacy, mental health
...

Kara Ladd, Synovial Sarcoma, Stage 1B

1st Symptoms: Pain behind left knee, needle-like sensation in left foot
Treatment: Surgery to remove what was thought to be benign tumor, chemotherapy, final surgery, radiation (36 sessions)
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Erica Hernandez, Stage 3B, Classical | The Patient Story

Erica Hernandez, Hodgkin's, Stage 3B

Cancer details: Staged at 3B
1st Symptoms: Intense itchiness, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss
Treatment:ABVD chemotherapy, 6 cycles (12 infusions)
...

Brandi’s Sarcoma Story: Ewing Sarcoma, Stage 1B | The Patient Story

Brandi Benson,
Ewing Sarcoma,
Stage 1B (Soft Tissue)

Cancer Details: Adult case of soft tissue Ewing sarcoma, not bone sarcoma
1st Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, lump in pelvic area
Treatment: 17 cycles of chemotherapy in-patient at hospital with (leg-sparing) surgery in between
...

Ariane’s Sarcoma Story: Ewing Sarcoma (Bone)| The Patient Story

Ariane Boyer, Ewing Sarcoma (Bone)

Cancer details: Most common in kids, young adults (teens through mid-20s)
1st Symptoms: Aching in arm, lump in forearm
Treatment: Chemo (14 rounds), surgery (of radius), radiation (36 sessions)
...

Demi’s Sarcoma Story: Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Desmoid Tumor | The Patient Story

Demi DeMas, Desmoid Tumor

Cancer details: Rare, <3% of all soft tissue tumors, more common in women
1st Symptoms: fatigue, lump in hip
Treatment: Surgery, radiation, chemo
...

Veronica’s Leukemia Story: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), B-Cell, PH- | The Patient Story

Veronica Balanza, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

1st symptoms: Mild shortness of breath and palpitations
Treatment: Chemo, targeted therapy, double cord transplant
...

Casey’s Leukemia Story: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Relapse | The Patient Story

Casey Head, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

1st symptoms: Lump on throat, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, bruising easily
Treatment: Chemo, immunotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplant
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Lia Sartorio, Classical, Nodular Sclerosis, Stage 4A | The Patient Story

Lia Sartorio, Nodular Sclerosis, Stage 4A

Cancer details: Most common and most treatable form of Hodgkin's lymphoma
1st Symptoms: Extreme lower back pain
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: CC Webster, Stage 4, Classical | The Patient Story

CC Webster, Hodgkin's, Stage 4

Cancer details: Diagnosed at 29, misdiagnosed as mono
1st Symptoms: Achiness, extreme fatigue, reactive rash on chest and neck. Later: chills, night sweats
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (6 cycles)
...

$Kayla’s Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Story: Stage 3A, Refractory to Gray Zone Lymphoma | The Patient Story$

Kayla Tremblett, Hodgkin's, Stage 3A

Cancer details: Possibly misdiagnosed the first time; later diagnosed as grey zone lymphoma
1st Symptoms: Pulled muscle in chest
Treatment: ABVD chemo, radiation, high-dose chemo, stem cell transplant
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Tylere Presley, Classical, Stage 3, Relapse | The Patient Story

Tylere Presley, Hodgkin, Stage 3

Cancer details: Mother is a nurse practitioner; suspected cancer
1st Symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes in neck
Treatment: Clinical trial; Chemotherapy, BMT
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Jade Blouin, Classical, Stage 2X (Bulky Disease) | The Patient Story

Jade Blouin, Hodgkin, Stage 2X

Cancer details: Diagnosed at 21 years old
1st Symptoms: Itchy legs and feet
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (4 treatments), AVD (remaining treatments)
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Katee Petro, Classical, Stage 2B | The Patient Story

Katee Petro, Hodgkin, Stage 2B

Cancer details: Accidentally found in x-ray after months of symptoms
1st Symptoms: Night sweats, fatigue, extreme itchiness, persistent cough
Treatment: Clinical trial; AAVD chemo, immunotherapy
...

Stephanie’s Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Story: Classical, Stage 2BX (Bulky Disease) | The Patient Story

Stephanie Ou, Hodgkin's, Stage 2B

Cancer details: Stage 2 with bulky disease
1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath, dry cough
Treatment: Stanford V chemotherapy (12 weeks, 1 infusion each week), radiation (20 days)
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Fabiola Lopez, Stage 2BX (Bulky Disease), Relapse | The Patient Story

Fabiola Lopez, Hodgkin's, Stage 2BX

Cancer details: Stage 2 with bulky disease, relapsed after 1st chemo. Remission after 2nd chemo & bone marrow transplant
1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath, dry cough, fatigue
Treatment: ABVD chemo (6 cycles), IGEV chemo, bone marrow transplant, BEAM chemo, brentuximab
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Wade Winslow, Classical, Stage 2A, AYA Cancer | The Patient Story

Wade Winslow, Hodgkin's, Stage 2A

Cancer details: Diagnosed at 18 years old
1st Symptoms: Enlarged lymph nodes (around neck), diagnosed at 18 years old
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (2 cycles), AVD chemotherapy (4 cycles)
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Lauren Chiarello, Stage 2A, Relapse, Nodular Sclerosis | The Patient Story

Lauren Chiarello, Hodgkin's, Stage 2A

Cancer details: Diagnosed at 23 years old with nodular sclerosis, relapsed after 6 months of 1st-line treatment
1st Symptoms: Itchy body, enlarged lymph node over collar bone
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy and ICE, radiation, and stem cell transplant for relapse
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Helicon Kuan, Classical, Stage 2A | The Patient Story

Helicon Kuan, Hodgkin's, Stage 2A

Cancer details: Found lymphoma cells in adenoid tissue
1st Symptoms: Difficulty breathing with blockage in nose, surgery to remove tissue resulted in discovery of Hodgkin lymphoma cells
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (4 cycles), radiation (20 sessions)
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Logan Agee, Stage 2A, Adolescent (AYA) Cancer | The Patient Story

Logan Agee, Hodgkin's, Stage 2A

Cancer details: Diagnosed at age 15
1st Symptoms: Lump in neck & fatigue
Treatment: 4 cycles of ABVE-PC chemo
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Lani Skelley, Classical, Stage 2 | The Patient Story

Lani Skelley, Hodgkin's, Stage 2

Cancer details: Tumor pressing on heart
1st Symptoms: Appendicitis led to CT scan that found tumor
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy, 7 cycles
...

Danielle Doyle, Hodgkin's, Stage 2

Cancer details: Diagnosed at age 25
1st Symptoms: Swollen lump on right side of neck/chest area, continued to grow
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy (3 cycles = 6 infusions)
...

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stories: Madi Jones, Nodular Sclerosis, Stage 1B | The Patient Story

Madi Jones, Hodgkin's, Stage 1B

Cancer details: Most common and most treatable form of Hodgkin lymphoma
1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath
Treatment: 3 rounds (6 infusions) of ABVD chemo
...

Tina’s Breast Cancer Story: Invasive & Lobular, Stage 3A, ER+ | The Patient Story

Tina Conrad, Ductal & Lobular Carcinoma in Situ, Stage 3A, ER+

Cancer details: Both ductal and lobular, estrogen receptor positive. Different than breast cancer Tina’s mom was diagnosed w/ twice.
1st Symptoms: Sunken in nipple of right breast
Treatment: Double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy
...

Margaret’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC & DCIS, Stage 2 | The Patient Story

Margaret Abe-Koga IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. DCIS means cancer has not spread into surrounding breast tissue
1st Symptoms: Pain in left breast, left nipple inverting
Treatment: Double mastectomy, chemo (AC-T), Radiation
...

Alison’s Breast Cancer Story: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), Stage 4, Triple Positive, DCIS, Grade 2 (Partially Differentiated) | The Patient Story

Alison Rash, Partially Differentiated DCIS, Stage 4 Metastatic

Cancer details: Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in underarm/breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, targeted therapy
...

Erin’s Metastatic Breast Cancer Story: IDC, TNBC (Triple Negative), Stage 2B, Relapse, Stage 4 | The Patient Story

Erin Cronican, IDC, Triple Negative, Stage 2B/4 Metastatic

Cancer details: Triple negative doesn’t have any receptors commonly found in breast cancer making it harder to treat
1st Symptoms: Pain in breast
Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
...

Renee’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, HER2+, Stage 3 | The Patient Story

Renee Nicholls, IDC, Stage 3, HER2+

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomy, radiation
...

Stephanie’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Stage 3, Grade 3, Triple Negative (TNBC), BRCA1+ | The Patient Story

Stephanie Johnson, Stage 3, Triple Negative, BRCA1+

Cancer details: Triple negative doesn’t have any receptors commonly found in breast cancer
1st Symptoms: Lump in left breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, surgery
...

Melissa’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Stage 2B, TNBC (Triple Negative), Pregnant with Cancer | The Patient Story

Melissa Humphrey, Stage 2B, Triple Negative

Cancer details: Triple negative doesn’t have any receptors commonly found in breast cancer making it harder to treat
1st Symptoms: Lump in left breast
Treatment: Mastectomy, chemotherapy, 2nd mastectomy
...

Stefanie’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Triple +, Stage 3 | The Patient Story

Stefanie Hauser, IDC, Triple Positive, Stage 3

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: chemotherapy, lumpectomy, radiation
...

Monica’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Stage 2B, Soft Tissue Sarcoma 2nd Cancer | The Patient Story

Monica Hoffman, IDC, Stage 2B

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Tightness and lump in left breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
...

Callie’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Stage 2B, Grade 2, ER+ | The Patient Story

Callie Metler-Smith, IDC, Stage 2B, Grade 2, ER+

Cancer Details: ER positive = estrogen receptor positive
1st Symptoms: Dimpling/lump found on breast
Treatment: Mastectomy, AC/T chemotherapy, hysterectomy, reconstruction
...

Joy’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Triple Negative, Stage 2, Grade 3 | The Patient Story

Joy Rodgers, IDC, Stage 2, Triple Negative

Cancer details: Triple negative doesn’t have any receptors commonly found in breast cancer making it harder to treat
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: Chemo, double mastectomy, hysterectomy
...

Caitlin’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Stage 2B, ER+, PR+| The Patient Story

Caitlin James, IDC, Stage 2B, ER/PR Positive

Cancer Details: ER/PR positive = estrogen and progesterone receptor positive
1st Symptoms: Lump found on breast
Treatment: Lumpectomy, AC/T chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy (Lupron and Anastrozole)
...

Rachel’s Breast Cancer Story: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) Stage 1B | The Patient Story

Rachel Yasui, IDC, Stage 1B

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. Stage 1B.
1st Symptoms: None, caught by delayed mammogram
Treatment: Double mastectomy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, hormone therapy Tamoxifen
...

Crystal’s Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Story: Primary Mediastinal B-Cell (PMBCL), Stage 2 | The Patient Story

Crystal Zunino, Primary Mediastinal (PMBCL), Stage 2

1st Symptoms: Chest pain
Treatment: 6 cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy
...

BEP (Bleomycin, etoposide, platinum)

Cancers commonly treated: Testicular

Learn more about BEP chemotherapy →

Hugo’s Testicular Cancer Story: Embryonal Carcinoma, Non-Seminoma, Stage 2B | The Patient Story

Hugo Toovey, Non-Seminoma, Stage 2B

Cancer Details: Tends to spread more quickly than seminomas
1st Symptoms: Pea-sized lump on right testicle
Treatment: Surgical removal of right testicle, lymph node resection, chemotherapy
Note: Currently in treatment for unrelated case of colon cancer
...

Steve’s Testicular Cancer Story: Non-Seminoma Germ Cell, Stage 4 | The Patient Story

Steve Lynch, Non-Seminoma, Stage 4

Cancer Details: Germ cell tumors usually occur in men between their late teens and early 30s
1st Symptoms: Grape-sized tumor on neck; hip and pelvis pain; ultrasound revealed tumor on right testicle
Treatment: Chemotherapy (BEP), removal of right testicle, lymph node resection (RPLND), and tumor dissection in the neck
...

CAPOX (capecitabine, oxaliplatin)

Cancers commonly treated: Colorectal

Catherine’s Rectal Cancer Story: Adenocarcinoma, Stage 3 | The Patient Story

Catherine Perka, Rectal Cancer, Stage 3

Cancer Details: Rectal adenocarcinoma; 98% of rectal and colon cancers are adenocarcinomas
1st Symptoms: Rectal bleeding, constipation, bloating
Treatment: Fertility treatments, chemo, radiation, tumor resection surgery
...

Barbara’s Colon Cancer Story: Stage 3 | The Patient Story

Barbara Majeski, Colon Cancer, Stage 3

Cancer Details: Family history wasn’t flagged, should have had colonoscopy earlier
1st Symptoms: Stomach discomfort, difficult to process food
Treatment: Colectomy
...

Carboplatin

Cancers commonly treated:

Ovarian
Head
Neck

Randalynn’s Ovarian Cancer Story: High-Grade Serous, Stage 1C | The Patient Story

Randalynn Vasel, High-Grade, Stage 1C

Cancer details:Account for up to 70% of cases
1st Symptoms:Pulling sensation when emptying bladder; abdominal pain
Treatment:Chemotherapy (Carboplatin & Paclitaxel) & surgery
...

Rick’s Testicular Cancer Story: Seminoma, Stage 1 | The Patient Story

Rick Henrikson, Seminoma, Stage 1

1st Symptoms: Noticed one testicle larger than the other, dull pain
Treatment: Orchiectomy (surgical removal of one testicle), neoadjuvant chemo (1 infusion of Carboplatin)
...

Susan’s Ovarian Cancer Story: High Grade, Stage 4, Metastatic | The Patient Story

Susan Rienzo, High-Grade, Metastatic

Cancer details:Account for up to 70% of cases
1st Symptoms:Pulling sensation when emptying bladder; abdominal pain
Treatment: Chemotherapy (Carboplatin & Paclitaxel) & surgery
...

Shirley’s Ovarian Cancer Story: High-Grade Serous Carcinoma, Stage 3C, BRCA1+ | The Patient Story

Shirley Pattan, High-Grade Serous Carcinoma, Stage 3C, BRCA1+

Cancer details:Account for up to 70% of cases
1st Symptoms:Pulling sensation when emptying bladder; abdominal pain
Treatment: Chemotherapy (Carboplatin & Taxol), de-bulking surgery & PARP inhibitors
...

Cheyann Shaw’s Ovarian Cancer Story: Low Grade Serous Carcinoma, Stage 4B | The Patient Story

Cheyann Shaw, Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma, Stage 4B

Cancer details: Makes up approximately 10% of cases of serous ovarian cancer.
1st Symptoms: Stomach pain, constipation, lump on right side above pubic area
Treatments: Cancer debulking surgery, chemotherapy (Carboplatin & Taxol, then Doxil & Avastin)
...

Alisa’s Ovarian Cancer Story: Low Grade Serous, Stage 3C | The Patient Story

Alisa Manzelli, Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Cancer details:Makes up approximately 10% of cases of serous ovarian cancer
1st Symptoms:Occasional rectal pain, acid reflux, bloating, night sweats
Treatment: Debulking surgies, chemotherapy, immunotherapy
...

Heather’s Ovarian Cancer Story: Epithelial, Stage 2C & Uterine Cancer, Stage 1A | The Patient Story

Heather McCollum, Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, Stage 2

Cancer Details: Also diagnosed w/uterine cancer 1A same time.
1st Symptoms: Extreme bloating, pinching pain in right side of abdomen, extreme fatigue
Treatment: Surgery (total hysterectomy), chemo (Taxol once a week for 18 week, Carboplatin every 3 weeks), concurrent clinical trial (Avastin) every 3 weeks
...

Mila’s Cervical Cancer Story: Squamous Cell, Stage 1B1 | The Patient Story

Mila Lazarevsky, Squamous, Stage 1B

1st Symptoms: Abnormal lump in cervix area, bleeding after sex
Treatment: Chemotherapy (Cisplatin), radiation, adjuvant chemotherapy (Carboplatin + Paclitaxel
...

Shari’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Stage 4, Triple Positive | The Patient Story

Shari Sheranian, Stage 4, Metastatic, Triple Positive

Cancer details: Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
...

Renee Nicholls, IDC, Stage 3, HER2+

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomy, radiation
...

Genoa’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Stage 3, HER2+ | The Patient Story

Genoa Martell, Stage 2, HER2-Positive

Cancer details: HER2-positive tends to be more aggressive than HER2-negative cases
1st Symptoms: Nausea
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation
...

Doreen’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Stage 2A,Triple+ | The Patient Story

Doreen DiSalvo, IDC, Stage 2A, Triple Positive

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in left breast
Treatment: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (TCHP), lumpectomy, radiation
...

Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)

Cancers commonly treated:

Rare Cancers: Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia, Grade 3 | Caroline’s Story

Caroline Chisolm, Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia, Grade 3

Cancer Details: As a result of a molar pregnancy
1st Symptoms: Morning sickness and an unusually high beta hCG
Treatment: EMACO chemotherapy
...

William’s Leukemia Story: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Treated as Childhood Leukemia | The Patient Story

William Yank, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

1st symptoms: Extreme fatigue, achey hands
Treatment: Chemotherapy, CAR T-Cell therapy
...

$Kayla’s Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Story: Stage 3A, Refractory to Gray Zone Lymphoma | The Patient Story$

Logan Agee, Hodgkin's, Stage 2A

Cancer details: Diagnosed at age 15
1st Symptoms: Lump in neck & fatigue
Treatment: 4 cycles of ABVE-PC chemo
...

Monica Hoffman, IDC, Stage 2B

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Tightness and lump in left breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
...

Amelia’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Stage 1, ER+, PR+, HER2- | The Patient Story

Amelia Laytham, IDC, Stage 1, ER/PR+, HER2-

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump found during self breast exam
Treatment: TC chemotherapy; lumpectomy, double mastectomy, reconstruction; Tamoxifen
...

Crystal Zunino, Primary Mediastinal (PMBCL), Stage 2

1st Symptoms: Chest pain
Treatment: 6 cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy
...

Arielle’s Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Story: Primary Mediastinal (PMBCL), Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma| The Patient Story

Arielle Rosen, Primary Mediastinal (PMBCL)

1st Symptoms: Swollen neck lymph nodes, fever, appetite loss, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, coughing, itchy skin, trouble breathing
Treatment: R-EPOCH (dose-adjusted) chemotherapy, 6 cycles
...

Eloxatin (oxaliplatin)

Cancers commonly treated: Colorectal

Lee’s Metastatic Colon Cancer Story: Stage 4, Recurrence | The Patient Story

Lee Jones, Colon Cancer, Stage 4, Recurrence

Cancer Details: Recurrence then remission
1st Symptoms: Discovered stage 4 cancer from unrelated CT scan
Treatment: Neoadjuvant chemo (FOLFOX), hemicolectomy (partial colon surgery), adjuvant chemo (FOLFOX), chemo post-recurrence (FOLFIRI), liver surgery
...

Jackie’s Rectal Cancer story: Adenocarcinoma, Stage 3B to Stage 4, Lynch Syndrome | The Patient Story

Jackie Spano, Rectal Adenocarcinoma, Stage 3B, Lynch Syndrome

Cancer Details: Rectal adenocarcinoma; 98% of rectal and colon cancers are adenocarcinomas
1st Symptoms: Blood in stool, constipation
Treatment: Chemo, radiation, surgery, immunotherapy
...

Lindsay’s Metastatic Colon Cancer Story: Stage 4 | The Patient Story

Lindsay Danneker, Colon Cancer, Stage 4

Cancer Details: Diagnosed at 32, cancer spread to ovary and lung
1st Symptoms: Lump in pelvic area, funny-smelling food, weight loss
Treatment: Chemotherapy, colectomy (surgery)
...

Etoposide

Cancers commonly treated:

Rare Cancers: Neuroendocrine Tumor, Stage 4 | Jennifer’s Story

Jennifer Petersen, Neuroendocrine Tumor, Stage IV

Cancer details: Unknown site of origin, metastasis
1st Symptoms: Pain in upper back
Treatment: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy
...

Logan Agee, Hodgkin's, Stage 2A

Cancer details: Diagnosed at age 15
1st Symptoms: Lump in neck & fatigue
Treatment: 4 cycles of ABVE-PC chemo
...

FOLFOX

Cancer details: Folinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin

Cancers commonly treated: Colorectal

Shelley’s Colon Cancer Story: Stage 3B | The Patient Story

Shelley Brown, Colon Cancer, Stage 3B

Cancer Details: Had no usual first symptoms, found as a result of routine colonoscopy and endoscopy
1st Symptoms: None
Treatment:Partial colectomy, chemotherapy (FOLFOX)
...

Joanna’s Rectal Cancer Story, Stage 3 | The Patient Story

Joanna Haydon, Rectal Cancer, Stage 3

Cancer Details: Rectal adenocarcinoma

1st symptoms: Rectal bleeding, bloating, stomach aches

Treatment: FOLFOX chemo, radiation
...

Jelena’s Rectal Cancer Story: Stage 3A | The Patient Story

Jelena Tompkins, Rectal Cancer, Stage 3A

Cancer Details: 7cm mass found
1st Symptoms: Gas changes, rectal bleeding
Treatment: Chemo, radiation, surgery for tumor removal, ileostomy reversal
...

Fluorouracil (5FU)

Cancers commonly treated:

Gemzar (gemcitabine)

Cancers commonly treated:

Nicole’s Sarcoma Story: Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Stage 3, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS) | The Patient Story

Nicole Body, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, Stage 3

Cancer Details: <5% of adult sarcomas
1st Symptoms: severe intolerance to food, nausea
Treatment: Cholecystectomy, Chemo (Gemcitabine and Taxotere), Whipple surgery
...

$Kayla’s Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Story: Stage 3A, Refractory to Gray Zone Lymphoma | The Patient Story$

Herceptin (trastuzumab)

Cancers commonly treated:

Breast
Stomach
Esophageal

Breast Cancer Oncologist: HER2, Estrogen+, Triple Negative | Dr. Doug Blayney, Stanford

Dr. Doug Blayney, Breast Cancer Specialist

Oncologist: Specializing in breast cancer | HER2, Estrogen+, Triple Negative, Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy
Experience: 30+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large teaching institution
...

Renee Nicholls, IDC, Stage 3, HER2+

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomy, radiation
...

Genoa Martell, Stage 2, HER2-Positive

Cancer details: HER2-positive tends to be more aggressive than HER2-negative cases
1st Symptoms: Nausea
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation
...

Rach’s Breast Cancer Story: IDC, Stage 2, Triple+ | The Patient Story

Rach DiMare, IDC, Stage 2, Triple Positive

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump in right breast
Treatment: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, double mastectomy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy
...

Idamycin (idarubicin)

Cancers commonly treated: Leukemia

Nicole’s Leukemia Story: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) | The Patient Story

Nicole Tomaino, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

1st symptoms: Severe itchiness, night sweats, fatigue
Treatment: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
...

Hayley’s Leukemia Story: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Monocytic Leukemia, AML M5 | The Patient Story

Hayley Atella, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), M5

Cancer details: Most common type of acute leukemia in adults
1st symptoms: Severe fatigue and excessive bleeding after oral surgery
Treatment: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
...

Melphalan

Cancers commonly treated:

Jude’s Multiple Myeloma Story: Stage 3 | The Patient Story

Jude Abella, Multiple Myeloma, Stage 3

Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma, stage 3
Cancer Details: Early stage multiple myeloma usually causes vague symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose
1st Symptoms: Pain in back, hips and ribs; difficulty walking
Treatment: Bilateral femoral osteotomy, reversal due to infection; chemotherapy
...

Carlos’ Multiple Myeloma Story, Light Chain, Stage 2 | The Patient Story

Carlos Colarte, Light Chain Multiple Myeloma

Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma, light chain
Cancer Details: Early stage multiple myeloma usually causes vague symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose
1st Symptoms: Back pain and spasms
Treatment: Back surgery to fuse T1 and T2, chemotherapy (RVD) and stem cell transplant
...

Methotrexate

Cancers commonly treated:

Breast
Leukemia
Lung
Bone
Head and neck

Ashley’s Sarcoma Story: Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Desmoid Tumor | The Patient Story

Ashley Williams, Desmoid Tumor

Cancer details: Rare, <3% of all soft tissue tumors, more common in women
1st Symptoms: leg tightness, increased swelling in leg
Treatment: Chemo infusion (Methotrexate, Navelbene), oral chemo (Nexovar)
...

Emily’s Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Story: Diffuse Large B-Cell (DLBCL), Stage 4 | The Patient Story

Emily Gibson, Diffuse Large B-Cell (DLBCL), Stage 4

1st Symptoms: Pain in left knee
Treatment: R-CHOP chemo (6 cycles), high-dose methotrexate chemo (3 cycles)
...

Navelbine (vinorelbine)

Cancers commonly treated: Lung

Oncovin (vincristine)

Cancers commonly treated:

William Yank, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

1st symptoms: Extreme fatigue, achey hands
Treatment: Chemotherapy, CAR T-Cell therapy

Ciara’s Leukemia Story: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) | The Patient Story

Ciara Toth, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Cancer details: Treatment without blood tranfusions
1st symptoms: Fatigue, shortness of breath, night sweats, petechiae
Treatment: Chemotherapy

Veronica Balanza, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

1st symptoms: Mild shortness of breath and palpitations
Treatment: Chemo, targeted therapy, double cord transplant

Logan Agee, Hodgkin's, Stage 2A

Cancer details: Diagnosed at age 15
1st Symptoms: Lump in neck & fatigue
Treatment: 4 cycles of ABVE-PC chemo

Crystal Zunino, Primary Mediastinal (PMBCL), Stage 2

1st Symptoms: Chest pain
Treatment: 6 cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy

Perjeta (pertuzumab)

Cancers commonly treated: Breast, HER2-Positive. Usually administered alongside other chemo drugs.

→ TCHP chemotherapy regimen

Platinol (cisplatin)

Cancers commonly treated:

Jennifer Petersen, Neuroendocrine Tumor, Stage IV

Cancer details: Unknown site of origin, metastasis
1st Symptoms: Pain in upper back
Treatment: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy
...

Lisa’s Lung Cancer Story: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), ROS1+, Stage 4 | The Patient Story

Lisa Goldman, Non-Small Cell, ROS1+, Stage 4 (Metastatic)

Cancer Details: ROS1+ tends to be aggressive. It can spread to the brain and to the bones.
1st Symptoms: Persistent cough (months), coughing a little blood, high fever, night sweats
Treatment: Chemo (4 cycles), maintenance chemo (4 cycles)
...

Brittany’s Metastatic Cervical Cancer Story: Squamous Cell, Stage 4B | The Patient Story

Brittany Wagner, Squamous Cell, Stage 4B

1st Symptoms: Spotting after sex, eventual significant bleeding at random
Treatment: Chemotherapy (Cisplatin) concurrent with radiation, 6 rounds adjuvant chemo, 2nd round radiation, immunotherapy trial, targeted therapy
...

Marissa’s Cervical Cancer Story: Squamous Cell, Stage 3B | The Patient Story

Marissa, Squamous, Stage 3B

1st Symptoms: Excessive and prolonged vaginal bleeding
Treatment: Chemotherapy (Cisplatin), radiation, brachytherapy
...

R-EPOCH

Complete overview of R-EPOCH

R – Rituximab
E – Etoposide Phosphate
P – Prednisone
O – Vincristine Sulfate (Oncovin)
C – Cyclophosphamide
H – Doxorubicin Hydrochloride (Hydroxydaunorubicin)

Taxol (paclitaxel)

Cancers commonly treated:

Renee Nicholls, IDC, Stage 3, HER2+

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomy, radiation
...

Andrea’s Breast Cancer Story: Pregnant with Cancer, IDC, Stage 2B to Stage 3 | The Patient Story

Andrea Anderson, IDC, Stage 2B/3, ER+

Cancer details: Found cancer while pregnant
1st Symptoms: Divot in breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
...

Monica Hoffman, IDC, Stage 2B

Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Tightness and lump in left breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
...

Taxotere (docetaxel)

Cancers commonly treated:

Breast
Lung
Prostate
Sto m ach
Head and neck

Genoa Martell, Stage 2, HER2-Positive

Cancer details: HER2-positive tends to be more aggressive than HER2-negative cases
1st Symptoms: Nausea
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation
...

TCHP (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin, Perjeta)

Cancer details:

Complete overview of TCHP

T – Taxotere® (docetaxel)
C – Carboplatin
H – Herceptin® (trastuzumab)
P – Perjeta® (Pertuzumab)

Cancers commonly treated: Breast (early-stage)

Xeloda (capecitabine)

Cancers commonly treated:

Allison’s Colorectal Cancer Story: Stage 2C | The Patient Story

Allison Rosen, Colorectal Cancer, Stage 2C

Age at Diagnosis: 32
1st Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, blood in stool, "blockage" feeling after eating
Treatment: Concurrent adjuvant (oral) chemotherapy + radiation, colectomy, oral chemotherapy
...

References

Chemotherapy FAQCancer TreatmentStories

General Chemotherapy FAQ

How does chemotherapy work?

Who should get chemotherapy?

How does chemo work alongside other therapies and treatments?

Chemotherapy side effects

Chemotherapy Stories and Experiences

ABVD

Adriamycin (doxorubicin)

BEP (Bleomycin, etoposide, platinum)

CAPOX (capecitabine, oxaliplatin)

Carboplatin

Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)

Eloxatin (oxaliplatin)

Etoposide

FOLFOX

Fluorouracil (5FU)

Gemzar (gemcitabine)

Herceptin (trastuzumab)

Idamycin (idarubicin)

Melphalan

Methotrexate

Navelbine (vinorelbine)

Oncovin (vincristine)

Perjeta (pertuzumab)

Platinol (cisplatin)

R-EPOCH

Taxol (paclitaxel)

Taxotere (docetaxel)

TCHP (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin, Perjeta)

Xeloda (capecitabine)

Chemotherapy FAQ
Cancer Treatment
Stories