Chemotherapy Chemotherapy (also called chemo) is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Depending on the type of cancer and how advanced it is, chemotherapy can: Cure cancer - when chemotherapy destroys cancer cells to the point that your doctor can no longer detect them in your body and they will not grow back. Control cancer - when chemotherapy keeps cancer from spreading, slows its growth, or destroys cancer cells that have spread to other parts of your body. Ease cancer symptoms (also called palliative care) - when chemotherapy shrinks tumors that are causing pain or pressure. http://www.acanceresearch.com/#Chemotherapy