What is a chemotherapy cycle?

Chemotherapy is often given in cycles. A cycle is a period of treatment followed by a period of rest.

For instance, you might receive chemotherapy every day for one week, followed by three weeks with no chemotherapy. Those four weeks make up one cycle. The rest period gives your body a chance to recover and build new healthy cells before the next round.

Treatment schedules vary widely depending on the drugs and the type of cancer. Your doctor or nurse will explain your schedule and what to expect during each cycle.