Park Ridge Hospital > Medical Services > Cancer Services

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy describes drugs that kill cancer cells directly. These are sometimes referred to as 'antineoplastics', 'anti-cancer', or chemo drugs. Other anti-cancer drugs include biologic response modifiers, hormone therapy and monoclonal antibodies, which work in different ways to kill cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is used for a variety of purposes:

To cure a specific cancer
To control tumor growth when cure is not possible
To shrink tumors before surgery or radiation therapy
To relieve symptoms
To destroy microscopic cancer cells after surgery

Dr. Maria Moore is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology. She participates regularly in national and international conferences and courses to keep abreast of new developments in oncology and hematology and to bring cutting-edge treatments to her patients. In 2004, she dedicated a year of service to short-term international missions. She returned to Park Ridge Hospital with renewed vision to serve those in this community with the highest degree of quality medical care.