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What is the Average Chemotherapy Cycle?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

There is no average chemotherapy cycle, because the length of chemotherapy cycles is dependent on a huge number of factors, including the type of cancer, the drugs used in treatment, the patient's response to treatment, and the goal of the therapy. Patients preparing for chemotherapy should anticipate three to six months of chemotherapy treatment and may go through four to eight cycles during this time period. When discussing chemotherapy with an oncologist, patients can get more information about the specifics of their treatment.

A chemotherapy cycle is defined as a course where the patient takes a series of medications and then takes a break to allow the body to recover. Chemotherapy medications are very harsh and patients cannot be on them continuously. Sometimes, all the medications in a cycle can be given in a single day, while in other cases, it can take multiple days or even weeks to administer the chemotherapy medications. The length of a cycle varies from cancer to cancer and patient to patient, and the drug regimen also plays a role in how long it takes to complete a cycle. The time needed for a break is variable, and may vary during treatment.

A diagram of normal blood and blood from someone with leukemia, which is sometimes treated with chemotherapy.
A diagram of normal blood and blood from someone with leukemia, which is sometimes treated with chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy administration typically takes place in a clinical setting where the patient can be monitored for signs of complications. The patient will be advised on how long the treatment should take and how long the patient will need to stay in the clinic. Sometimes it takes only a minute to take a pill or get an injection, but the patient may need to wait for several hours while the medication is metabolized. For some chemotherapy treatments, hospitalization for several days may be necessary.

Chemotherapy patients may go through four to eight cycles of chemotherapy in a three to six month period.
Chemotherapy patients may go through four to eight cycles of chemotherapy in a three to six month period.

During a cycle of chemotherapy, the patient's health will be monitored. This information is used to see if the treatment is working as expected, and to determine when the patient's next cycle can start. If a patient does not recover during the period allotted for a break, it may be necessary to extend the chemotherapy cycle to give the patient more time. This will push back the projected end date for the treatment, as well. For treatments designed to be palliative rather than curative, the cycles may be adjusted to keep the patient as comfortable as possible.

Chemotherapy is often administered at infusion centers, where trained professionals can watch for adverse reactions.
Chemotherapy is often administered at infusion centers, where trained professionals can watch for adverse reactions.

It is difficult to made predictions about chemotherapy when patients start. Everyone responds differently to the medications used in chemotherapy, and consequently, it is hard to know how well a patient will do. For some patients, it may be possible to complete cycles in a relatively short period of time and bounce back rapidly between doses. For others, the medication may leave the patient exhausted and ill, requiring an extended break. During a chemotherapy cycle, it is important to be alert to signs of complications like infections, and patients can also benefit from things like anti-nausea medications to manage discomfort associated with the medications.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Scrbblchick

@Lostnfound -- A little boy in our neighborhood was diagnosed with leukemia late last year and he's looking at three years of treatments. I'm not sure how much of it will be chemo, but I know a lot of it is. He's also scheduled for some radiation treatments.

I know in his case, at the 28-day mark, the doctors wanted him to be in remission, or very close. They said that would determine his prognosis, to a great extent.

It's awful when kids have to go through stuff like this.

Lostnfound

When my mom had breast cancer, she had eight chemo treatments over six months. I think she had a treatment every three weeks. She went to the oncology clinic and her chemo was done via IV. I think it took about four hours for each treatment, if I remember correctly.

She usually hit the nadir, or period with lowest immunity, about 10 days after her treatment, and she stayed home on those days.

It all depends on the individual as to how long the cycles are.

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    • A diagram of normal blood and blood from someone with leukemia, which is sometimes treated with chemotherapy.
      By: Alila
      A diagram of normal blood and blood from someone with leukemia, which is sometimes treated with chemotherapy.
    • Chemotherapy patients may go through four to eight cycles of chemotherapy in a three to six month period.
      By: JPC-PROD
      Chemotherapy patients may go through four to eight cycles of chemotherapy in a three to six month period.
    • Chemotherapy is often administered at infusion centers, where trained professionals can watch for adverse reactions.
      By: Monkey Business
      Chemotherapy is often administered at infusion centers, where trained professionals can watch for adverse reactions.
    • Because each patient responds to chemotherapy differently, it's next to impossible for an oncologist to forecast how well the treatment will work.
      By: cleomiu
      Because each patient responds to chemotherapy differently, it's next to impossible for an oncologist to forecast how well the treatment will work.