Sometimes chemotherapy is simply referred to as “chemo”. Chemotherapy describes drugs that kill cancer cells directly. These are sometimes referred to as “antineoplastics” or “anti-cancer” drugs. Other chemo drugs include biologic response modifiers, hormone therapy, and monoclonal antibodies, which work in different ways to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is used for a variety of purposes:
• To cure a specific cancer
• To control tumor growth when cure is not possible
• To shrink tumors before surgery or radiation therapy
• To relieve symptoms
• To destroy microscopic cancer cells after surgery At Providence Alaska Medical Center specially trained nurses give chemotherapy in different settings. For patients who need to be in the hospital the adult and pediatric inpatient units are the usual sites but it is also administered in the critical care areas. Outpatient administration areas are the Infusion Center, Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic, and physician offices. Important Phone Numbers:
Infusion Center: 261-3047
Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic: 261-4824
5-North: 261-3150 • American Cancer Society
• National Cancer Institute
• Chemocare.com | 
