Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to slow the growth of or kill cancer cells. This type of treatment is one of the most common. Chemotherapy may also be recommended alongside other treatments, including targeted therapies, infusions, hormone therapy or biotherapy.
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Your cancer care team will guide you through chemotherapy, what you can expect it to be like and how long your treatment takes. Learn More
Convenient Cancer Care Close to Home
Chemotherapy and follow-up lab services are available near home at one of Avera Cancer Institute’s six regional centers or multiple outreach sites. Oncologists work closely with you to make treatments as convenient as possible to save you travel time and costs. You’ll also receive close monitoring and regular follow-up care.
Enjoy easy referral to a wide range of cancer specialists located throughout our extensive health network. Your chemotherapy treatment may be paired with other services, so you have a multi-layered approach to fighting cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is administered to stop the cancer from spreading and prevent recurrence. When undergoing chemo treatment you may experience side effects like fatigue, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, appetite changes and more. It's all normal. These often temporary side effects take place because the chemotherapy cannot differentiate between the cancer cells and normal, healthy cells. During your appointments, expect to be there for a few hours. It's important to rest, relax and give your body time to recover after each cycle of chemo treatment.
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Biotherapy
This innovative cancer treatment boosts your immune system to identify and eliminate cancer cells on its own. Biotherapy allows you to experience fewer or less severe side effects as well. Several types of biotherapies include the following:
- Adoptive cell transfer
- Angiogenesis inhibitors
- Bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy
- Biochemotherapy
- Cancer vaccines
- Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy
- Cytokine therapy
- Gene therapy
- Immune checkpoint modulators
- Immunoconjugates
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Oncolytic virus therapy
- Targeted drug therapy
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In-Center Infusion
Avera Cancer Institute locations are designed to help you focus on healing. During your treatment, relax in comfort. Several locations offer infusion suites with specially designed chairs that recline, heat and massage. Infusions are offered privately or with others if you enjoy a group setting.
Precision Oncology
Precision Oncology, also referred to as genomic medicine, is a revolutionary cancer treatment that places your genetic information at the forefront of care decisions. By analyzing your unique genetic makeup, we identify the most effective methods for treating you. This personalized approach has shown great promise in improving patient outcomes and reducing the side effects associated with chemotherapy. Precision Oncology takes into account not only your specific type of cancer but also how it is likely to behave and respond to different procedures based on your genetics.
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Managing Chemotherapy Symptoms
Chemotherapy is effective. Symptoms can arise due to this type of treatment. Here are some possible symptoms to be aware of so you know what to watch for and can talk with your care team about preventing and relieving them. These include:
- Cognitive impairment
- Decreased Appetite
- Dehydration
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Mouth Sores
- Fatigue
- Hot flashes
- Neuropathy
- Sleep disturbance
- Nausea or vomiting
