Chemotherapy

At the Cancer Center of Southern California, every patient’s treatment is unique. We offer a range of chemotherapy delivery methods, tailored to your diagnostic needs.

• IV Chemotherapy: This is the most common form of chemotherapy, where medication is delivered directly into the bloodstream using a catheter or port.
• Oral & Injectable Options: We can also administer chemotherapy through pills, capsules, injections, or topical options.
• Specialized Delivery: In some cases, we use specialized routes like intra-arterial (directly into an artery that supplies blood to the tumor) and intraperitoneal (space within the abdomen that contains organs like the stomach, intestines, ovaries, liver, etc) delivery for more targeted treatment.

Rest assured that your oncologist at the Cancer Center of Southern California will guide you on the approach best suited to your diagnosis, ensuring the plan is safe, effective, and individualized to your condition.

No two patients respond to chemotherapy in the same way. That’s why our physicians design regimens tailored to your specific cancer type, stage, health, and treatment goals.

At the Cancer Center of Southern California, we see chemotherapy as both an art and a science.

• Treatment plans are adjusted over time based on how your body responds.
• We emphasize quality of life, not just clinical outcomes.
• Our team is committed to open communication, so you always know what to expect.

This individualized philosophy means your chemotherapy is more than just a drug. 

The team, led by Dr. Sant Chawla, is internationally known for its expertise in innovative drug therapeutics and works to find the most effective combination of drugs for each patient. We work collaboratively with radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons from renowned institutions like M.D. Anderson, UCLA, and USC as part of a comprehensive plan designed for you.

We design individualized and patient-specific chemo protocols to ensure each patient receives the best treatment possible. Our team has deep experience in designing chemotherapy regimens for a wide range of cancers.

• Leukemia: Treatment for Leukemia can be administered orally, intravenously, or intrathecally. We create tailored treatment protocols for various forms of leukemia, including: 
  • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
  • Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
  • Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
  • Meningeal Leukemia
• Lung Carcinoma: For lung cancer, chemotherapy is often used in combination with several chemotherapy drugs for a stronger, more targeted attack on tumors. Treatment timing depends on factors like the stage and location of the cancer. When a particular drug or combination is not effective in shrinking tumors, our team will adjust the dosage or try a new combination.
• Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Head & Neck Cancers: Tailored chemotherapy strategies are often paired with clinical trials for breakthrough options.

If you don’t see your cancer type listed here, please contact us for a consultation. While complex cases may need specialized approaches, we treat all types of cancers at the Cancer Center of Southern California. 

Our expertise in advanced drug therapeutics and clinical trials allows us to develop personalized treatment plans for even the most complex and rare cancers.

Most people have heard that chemotherapy causes unpleasant side effects. However, modern therapeutics are less likely to produce severe reactions. Our physicians work to prescribe treatments that are both effective in destroying cancer cells and cause the least amount of discomfort. 

Typically, side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, and neuropathy (nerve damage), may be associated with chemotherapy. However, some side effects could be gender specific. 

For women, symptoms may include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and irregular periods. For men, especially those with testicular cancer, there is a risk of infertility.

We monitor your progress carefully throughout the treatment period. Our goal is to help you tolerate treatment safely while helping you maintain as much of your daily routine and comfort as possible. 

The success of a treatment plan varies from patient to patient. If your treatment does not yield measurable results, we can discontinue the treatment and try a new drug or combination. 

Additionally, for patients whose cancer does not respond to standard care, clinical trials may provide access to tomorrow’s treatments today.

• Phase I–III Clinical Trials: Innovative therapies under study.
• Compassionate Use (Single Subject IND): Special approval for investigational drugs not yet widely available.

The Cancer Center of Southern California leads one of the nation’s most extensive clinical trial programs, giving patients opportunities that few other centers can offer. Our team is well-known for our work with advanced drug therapeutics. 

Your treatment is overseen by nationally recognized oncologists who specialize in complex cancers and chemotherapy innovation. We ensure that you have direct access to your oncologist, because your care should never feel rushed or impersonal.