Oncology
Understanding Chemotherapy: Side Effects & Success Rates
📅 Jun 22, 2026•⏱ 4 min read
Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used cancer treatments. This guide explains how it works, the types of chemo, side effects, success rates and cost for international patients.
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy uses powerful medicines to destroy cancer cells or stop them from multiplying. It is used for:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Blood cancers
- GI cancers
- Gynecological cancers
How chemotherapy works
- Shrinks tumors
- Prevents cancer spread
- Kills microscopic cancer cells
- Improves survival rates
- Used before or after surgery
Types of chemotherapy
- Intravenous (IV)
- Oral
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Hormone therapy
Common side effects
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Nausea
- Low immunity
- Mouth sores
- Loss of appetite
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ARRF Health Tours partner hospitals offer dedicated side-effect management programs.
Success rates
Success depends on cancer type, stage, patient health and treatment plan. India's top cancer centres follow NCCN & ESMO guidelines.
Cost of chemotherapy
| Treatment | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Per cycle | USD 400–1,200 |
| Targeted therapy | USD 1,500–4,000 |
| Immunotherapy | USD 2,500–6,000 |
Why choose ARRF Health Tours
- Access to top oncologists
- Transparent pricing
- Fast case review
- Multilingual support
Frequently asked questions
Can I exercise during chemotherapy?
Yes — light exercise is generally recommended.
Can I eat spicy food during chemo?
Avoid spicy food during chemotherapy.
