Anticancer drugs are medicines used to treat various kinds of cancer. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells that interfere with the growth of healthy cells. The approach to treating cancer depends on where in the body it occurs, the type of cells making up the cancer, and how advanced the cancer is. The usual treatments are surgery, chemotherapy (treatment with anticancer drugs), radiation, or some combination of these methods.

Anticancer drugs interfere with the growth of tumor cells, eventually causing their death. However because these drugs are so powerful, they may also affect the growth of normal body cells, causing many side effects, some of which may be serious. Anticancer drugs come in different forms, depending on the type of drug. Some are given only as injections; others are taken by mouth in tablet or liquid form.

The recommended dosage depends on many factors, such...