Chemotherapy Say: kee-mo-ther-uh-pee Chemotherapy is the use of special medicines to treat cancer. They can be given alone, but often several chemotherapy drugs are combined to attack the cancer cells in different ways. The exact combination depends on the type of cancer and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. These medicines are very powerful and sometimes get the normal cells, too. That's why people with cancer often lose their hair. The good news is that when a person finishes chemotherapy, the normal cells come back and so will your hair! Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.