Chemotherapy, IV vs Oral form

[Haleygirl]

Does hair loss occur with the use of the pill form of chemotherapy?  Also, will the pill form give me the same chance of nonreoccurrence of cancer as IV chemo?  

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Haleygirl:  The decision of which chemotherapy to used depends upon the disease being treated, the patient’s health, and the physician.  Some  chemotherapy  drugs are available orally and others are not but they are not generally substituted by preference for oral over IV.  The side effects  vary by drug type, dose and mode of administration .  Because a  chemotherapy drug is oral does not  necessarily mean that there are fewer or less serious side effects.   Hormonal therapy, which is different from chemotherapy, is an anticancer treatment that is unlikely to cause significant hair loss and may be used alone or in addition to chemotherapy depending on the circumstances.  The benefits and side effects of your various treatment options should be discussed with your oncologist.