DefinitionChemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells. Most commonly, the term is used to refer to cancer-killing drugs. This article focuses on cancer chemotherapy.Alternative NamesCancer chemotherapy; Cancer drug therapy; Cytotoxic chemotherapyInformationChemotherapy drugs can be given by mouth or injection. Because the medicines travel through the blood stream to the entire body, chemotherapy is considered a body-wide (systemic) treatment.Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerKeep the cancer from spreadingEase symptoms (when the cancer cannot be cured)Chemotherapy medicines usually target cells that quickly divide. However, normal cells -- including those found in the blood, hair, and the lining of the gastrointestinal tract -- also divide ve