Chemotherapy

See the current version of the SEER Program Coding Manual under Section VII: First Course of Therapy, for complete coding instructions for the chemotherapy data items.

Chemotherapy (also called chemo) uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy can also be referred to as a systemic drug, opposed to radiation that typically targets a specific site/area/location. Chemotherapy may be given alone or with other types of treatment. The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

Chemotherapy is widely used as treatment for CNS tumors. It is frequently used after surgery and in conjunction with radiation therapy.

See Central Nervous System Tumors Treatment (PDQ®) - NCI for a detailed listing of treatment by histology type.

See SEER*Rx Interactive Antineoplastic Drugs Database for more information on the specific Chemotherapy drugs for CNS cancer. These can either be individual drugs, or part of a regimen.

Document chemotherapy details in NAACCR Item #2640: Text-Chemo

Updated: September 23, 2026