How long does chemotherapy last?

There is no single answer, because chemotherapy schedules vary widely. According to the National Cancer Institute, how often and how long you get chemotherapy depends on several things. These are your type of cancer and how advanced it is, and whether the goal is to cure the cancer, control its growth, or ease symptoms. It also depends on the type of chemotherapy you are getting and how your body responds.

Chemotherapy is often given in cycles. A cycle is a period of treatment followed by a period of rest. You might get chemotherapy every day for one week, then have three weeks with none. Those four weeks make up one cycle. The rest period gives your body a chance to recover and build new healthy cells.

It is best not to skip a treatment. Your doctor may still adjust your schedule if you are having certain side effects. Your health care team can explain your own schedule and how many cycles to expect.