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Cancer chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is usually prescribed by oncologists (physicians with advanced training in treatment of cancer). The June 11, 2008, issue of JAMA includes an article assessing the difficult decisions cancer patients and their doctors must make about the use and extent of chemotherapy as patients near the end of life.

SHOULD I TAKE CHEMOTHERAPY OR NOT?

The type of cancer, what organs are affected, age, health, and the goals and adverse effects of treatment are important issues. One of the most important issues is your "performance status," rated on the following scale. Patients with a performance status of 3 or 4 usually should not receive chemotherapy because they will have little chance of benefit and more adverse effects.

0 Fully active

1 Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory (able to walk) and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature, such as . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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