High dose chemotherapy is used alone or in addition to radiation therapy, to destroy your bone marrow cells that have been ravaged by cancer or genetic disorders. A variety of different chemotherapy drugs are used. Chemotherapy is administered by an intravenous infusion or pill and destroys cells that rapidly divide, like cancer cells. In addition to the cancer cells being destroyed, normal, healthy cells in your bone marrow, intestinal tract and hair follicles may also be destroyed. This is why common side effects of high dose chemotherapy include low blood counts, nausea, diarrhea and hair loss. While you're receiving chemotherapy, and after, you'll be given medications to relieve any side effects. Our goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible during and after your treatment.