ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the benefits of conventional chemotherapy in the adjuvant and neo-adjuvant settings. It discusses how chemotherapy works, and lists the practicalities and side effects. The chapter briefly describes conventional chemotherapy in the metastatic setting, and also focuses on the mechanism of action of each conventional chemotherapy group. One of the most critical post-surgery consultations for the patient takes place after the multidisciplinary team discussion of her/his case. Following a course of neo-adjuvant strategy, the next key event is the timing of planned surgery, which should take place at least 4 weeks after the last dose of conventional chemotherapy to reduce the risk of overhanging toxicity, especially in the form of bone marrow suppression. Any conventional chemotherapy agent comes with some difficulties in practice and obviously toxicity. Most conventional chemotherapy agents are delivered intravenously, as an outpatient, on a 2- to 3-weekly basis.
