Mechanism of Action
Cancer cells grow and divide quickly. Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of these cancer cells. Chemotherapeutic agents work by impairing the mitosis or cell division of fast-dividing cells, thus they are termed cytotoxic as they cause damage to these cells. However, it can also damage healthy normal cells that are quickly dividing, such as the cells that line the mouth and intestines and those that cause the hair to grow. Damage to these normal cells poses side effects of the chemotherapy use. These side effects usually get better or go away after chemotherapy is over.