chemo
Medical abbreviation · Hematology and Oncology
| Stands for | Chemotherapy |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
chemo stands for Chemotherapy, a hematology and oncology abbreviation.
Treatment of cancer with drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, given intravenously, orally or by injection into body cavities, usually in cycles with rest periods between them. Side effects include hair loss, nausea, fatigue, mouth sores and low blood counts.
Example: First round of chemo is Monday; the infusion nurse said to bring a blanket and snacks.
Usage notes
German scientist Paul Ehrlich coined the word "chemotherapy" in the early 1900s for chemical treatments of disease. Modern cancer chemotherapy began in the 1940s with nitrogen mustard, derived from chemical weapons research, and Sidney Farber's 1948 report of remissions in childhood leukemia with aminopterin. "Chemo brain" describes the cognitive fog some patients experience. Usually written lowercase in running text.
Related abbreviations
More hematology and oncology abbreviations
- CA 19-9 – Carbohydrate antigen 19-9
- CA-125 – Cancer antigen 125
- CAPOX – Capecitabine and oxaliplatin
- CAR-T – Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy
- CAT – Cancer-associated thrombosis
- CEA – Carcinoembryonic antigen
- CHOP – Cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin (doxorubicin), Oncovin…
- CLL – Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- CML – Chronic myeloid leukemia
- CR – Complete response
- CRAB – Hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia, bone lesions
- CRS – Cytokine release syndrome
See all 144 hematology and oncology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.