Chemotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital

Chemotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized systemic cancer treatment using anti-cancer medicines to destroy, control or slow the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used alone or together with surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy depending on the cancer type and treatment plan.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost depends on the cancer type and stage, chemotherapy medicines, treatment cycles, laboratory testing, infusion services, supportive medications and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer medicines to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells.

It may be used to:

• Treat cancer

• Shrink tumors

• Reduce cancer recurrence risk

• Control advanced cancer

• Relieve cancer-related symptoms

Who May Need Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy may be recommended for selected patients with:

• Newly diagnosed cancer

• Locally advanced cancer

• Metastatic cancer

• Recurrent cancer

• Certain blood cancers

• Solid tumors

Chemotherapy Consultation

Before treatment, the oncology team may review:

• Cancer diagnosis

• Pathology

• Cancer stage

• Imaging

• Laboratory results

• Previous treatments

• Overall health

Chemotherapy Treatment Planning

The treatment plan may consider:

• Cancer type

• Cancer stage

• Tumor characteristics

• Previous treatment

• Overall health

• Treatment goals

The oncology team determines the appropriate medicine or combination of medicines.

Chemotherapy Before Surgery

Chemotherapy may sometimes be given before surgery to shrink a tumor or treat microscopic cancer cells.

This is known as neoadjuvant treatment.

Chemotherapy After Surgery

Chemotherapy may also be given after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer returning.

This is known as adjuvant treatment.

Chemotherapy With Radiation

Selected patients may receive chemotherapy together with radiation therapy.

This combined approach is used for certain cancers when clinically appropriate.

Combination Chemotherapy

Some cancers are treated with combinations of multiple anti-cancer medicines.

The specific combination depends on:

• Cancer type

• Disease stage

• Treatment guidelines

• Previous therapy

• Patient factors

Intravenous Chemotherapy

Many chemotherapy medicines are administered intravenously through:

• Peripheral IV

• Central venous access

• Implanted port

The appropriate method depends on the treatment regimen.

Oral Chemotherapy

Some anti-cancer medicines are available as tablets or capsules.

Patients receiving oral chemotherapy require appropriate instructions regarding:

• Dosing

• Timing

• Side effects

• Medication interactions

• Monitoring

Chemotherapy Infusion Services

Selected chemotherapy treatments may be administered in specialized outpatient infusion settings.

Patients may be monitored before, during and after treatment.

Supportive Care During Chemotherapy

Supportive treatment may help manage chemotherapy-related effects such as:

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Changes in blood counts

• Appetite changes

• Other treatment-related symptoms

Laboratory Monitoring

Blood tests may be performed before or during chemotherapy to monitor:

• Blood-cell counts

• Kidney function

• Liver function

• Other relevant health indicators

Treatment may be adjusted according to laboratory findings.

Chemotherapy Side Effects

Side effects vary depending on the specific medication and individual patient.

Possible effects may include:

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Appetite changes

• Hair loss

• Changes in blood counts

• Increased infection risk

• Neuropathy

• Other treatment-specific effects

Chemotherapy Monitoring

During treatment, specialists may monitor:

• Cancer response

• Laboratory results

• Symptoms

• Side effects

• Organ function

• Imaging findings when appropriate

Advanced Cancer Chemotherapy

For advanced or metastatic cancer, chemotherapy may be used to:

• Control cancer growth

• Reduce tumor burden

• Manage symptoms

• Improve quality of life

• Extend survival when possible

Chemotherapy and Other Cancer Treatments

Chemotherapy may be combined with:

• Surgery

• Radiation therapy

• Immunotherapy

• Targeted therapy

• Hormone therapy

The appropriate combination depends on the specific cancer.

Clinical Trials

Eligible patients may have access to clinical trials investigating:

• New chemotherapy combinations

• New cancer medicines

• Combination treatment strategies

• Other innovative approaches

Eligibility depends on the specific trial and patient characteristics.

Chemotherapy Second Opinion

Patients may seek a chemotherapy second opinion regarding:

• Recommended medicines

• Treatment cycles

• Combination therapy

• Alternative treatment options

• Clinical trials

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant cancer records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy results

• CT/MRI/PET reports

• Previous chemotherapy records

• Surgical reports

• Radiation records

• Laboratory results

• Medication list

Benefits of Specialized Chemotherapy Care

Specialized oncology care may help:

• Select appropriate chemotherapy

• Develop individualized treatment plans

• Monitor treatment response

• Manage side effects

• Coordinate chemotherapy with other therapies

• Evaluate clinical trial opportunities

Why Choose Massachusetts General Hospital for Chemotherapy?

Massachusetts General Hospital provides chemotherapy and comprehensive systemic cancer treatment through Mass General Cancer Center, with multidisciplinary oncology specialists involved in treatment planning and cancer care.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

Potential costs may include:

• Medical oncology consultation

• Chemotherapy medicines

• Infusion administration

• Laboratory testing

• Imaging

• Supportive medications

• Treatment monitoring

• Follow-up care

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's chemotherapy regimen.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is chemotherapy used for?

Chemotherapy may be used to treat, control or slow cancer, either alone or together with other cancer treatments.

2. Can chemotherapy be given before surgery?

Yes. Chemotherapy may be given before surgery in selected cases to shrink tumors or treat cancer cells elsewhere in the body.

3. Can chemotherapy be taken as a pill?

Yes. Some anti-cancer medicines are available as oral chemotherapy, while others are administered intravenously.

4. How many chemotherapy sessions are needed?

The number of treatment cycles depends on the cancer type, treatment regimen, response and individual patient factors.

5. How much does chemotherapy cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the medicines, number of cycles, laboratory testing, infusion services and supportive care required.

Product Details

Product Name: Chemotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital

Hospital: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brand: Massachusetts General Hospital

Country: United States

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Chemotherapy

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA