While surgery and radiation therapy target cancerous tumors, chemotherapy is a "whole body" approach to treating cancer.

During chemotherapy treatment sessions, cell-killing drugs, called cytotoxic agents, are administered by mouth, injection or intravenous line (I.V.). The chemotherapy drugs reach all parts of the body, eliminating cancer cells that have metastasized, or spread, to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with surgery or radiation therapy.

Most patients who receive chemotherapy at Einstein Cancer Center are treated for only one or two days each month over a period of three to six months.

Working as a team, breast surgeons and radiologists from Einstein's Marion-Louise Saltzman Women's Center work closely with oncologists from Einstein Cancer Center to develop the best possible chemotherapy treatment plans for women with breast cancer.

Chemotherapy varies from patient to patient, depending on the type of breast cancer, the stage of the disease and the patient's general health. At Einstein, our highly-skilled oncologists have dozens of chemotherapy agents to choose from. To get the very best results for their patients, they often use a combination of two or three cytotoxic agents, carefully selecting the ones that are best suited to each patients' specific needs.

Oncologists at Einstein Cancer Center are active members in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), a national cooperative group that conducts clinical trials in breast and colorectal cancer research. In fact, Ajit Desai, MD, one of Einstein's foremost authorities in breast cancer chemotherapy, is a member of NSABP's Breast Committee and has been a principal investigator with the organization since 1979.

Through our affiliation with NSABP, our oncologists are able to offer women with cancer treatment options available only through special studies and clinical trials. Such options are available only at NSABP sites.

In 1999, Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia opened the brand new Einstein Cancer Center, which now houses Einstein's 30-year-old cancer program. Our professional, dedicated staff provides compassionate care in a pleasant, relaxing environment. Albert Einstein Cancer Center offers women with–or at risk for–breast cancer comprehensive care including risk assessments, genetic counseling and prevention strategies as well as advanced treatment options and psychosocial support services.

For more information about Einstein Cancer Center, call 1-800-EINSTEIN.

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