Questions About Cancer? 1-800-4-CANCER

Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 09/18/2009
  • Updated: 03/03/2011

CHOP

This page contains brief information about the drug combination called CHOP. The drugs in the combination are listed, and links to individual drug summaries are included.

Drugs in the CHOP combination:

C= Cyclophosphamide 1
H= Doxorubicin Hydrochloride 2 (Hydroxydaunomycin)
O= Vincristine Sulfate 3 (Oncovin)
P= Prednisone 4

Chemotherapy is often given as a combination of drugs. Combinations usually work better than single drugs because different drugs kill cancer cells in different ways.

Each of the drugs in this combination is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat cancer or conditions related to cancer.

Use in Cancer

CHOP is used to treat:

More About CHOP

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary 5 - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Important: The drug information on this page is meant to be educational. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information may not cover all possible uses, actions, interactions, or side effects of this drug, or precautions to be taken while using it. Please see your health care professional for more information about your specific medical condition and the use of this drug.


Back to TopBack to Top



Glossary Terms

cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
combination chemotherapy (KOM-bih-NAY-shun KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment using more than one anticancer drug.
drug (drug)
Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.
Food and Drug Administration (... ad-MIH-nih-STRAY-shun)
An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.
non-Hodgkin lymphoma (non-HOJ-kin lim-FOH-muh)
Any of a large group of cancers of lymphocytes (white blood cells). Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur at any age and are often marked by lymph nodes that are larger than normal, fever, and weight loss. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These types can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types, and they can be formed from either B-cells or T-cells. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include Burkitt lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include mycosis fungoides, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Lymphomas that occur after bone marrow or stem cell transplantation are usually B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and type of disease. Also called NHL.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/cyclophosphamide
2http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/doxorubicinhydrochloride
3http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/vincristinesulfate
4http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/prednisone
5http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=40931
6http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/alphalist
7http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/drug-page-index
8http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learningabout/approval-process-for-cancer-
drugs
9http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/investigational-drug-access