There are three different parts of chemotherapy, although the scope to which it achieves these parts tends to vary for each patient depending on the stage and harshness of the cancer.
Chemo, as it is commonly known, is expected to:

• Cure cancer – Chemotherapy can eradicate the cancer cells entirely until they can no longer be detected. The process is said to successfully cure the disease if it does not rise back.
• Treat cancer – Chemo can hamper the further spreading of the cancerous cells by restraining their growth. However, in some cases, this approach only works for as long as the patient is continually undergoing it. Once the therapy stops, the cancerous cells may start growing again.
• Relieve the symptoms of cancer – Chemo can be particularly used to target specific cancerous tumors that induce pressure or pain on the affected body parts.
• Increase vulnerability to infections – Chemo may also be used for other types of cancer treatment, such as surgery, biological therapy, and radiation therapy. Here are the typical roles that chemotherapy plays when used in a combination of therapy options:
• Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy – Chemo may be utilized to shrink a tumor earlier than surgical removal.
• Adjuvant chemotherapy – This signifies that the chemotherapy treatment is only used as a follow-up to either destroy the cancer cells that got left behind after surgical reduction or radiation therapy.