Local Chemotherapy is administered by planting the wafers at the site of tumor. Chemotherapy drugs aim to kill the cancer cells thus shrinking the cellular mass. These are often administered intravenously in most of the chemotherapy centers. Chemotherapy thus diffuses the chemicals directly into our blood. In the process to destroy cancer cells, chemotherapy drugs often fail to recognize some normal cells. These cells perform their function by dividing continuously like hair follicle cells, skin and intestinal cells and bone marrow cells. In its intrusion, chemotherapy also hampers these normal cells.

Researchers have found some novel approach to combat the side effects that are resulted by chemotherapy. One such mechanism is the use of chemotherapy wafers. Chemotherapy wafers are distinctively used to cure brain tumor, as it is yet not approved to be used elsewhere. The most common chemotherapy drug given by these chemotherapy wafers is gliadel; hence, these are colloquially called as gliadel wafers. Gliadel wafers are planted at the spot of tumor immediately during the surgery. These wafers in some time dissolve over a period of two to three weeks, thus exposing the chemotherapy drug to kill the remaining cancer cells, which are left after surgery.

Use of local chemotherapy mechanism often lessens the side effects caused after an infusion of drugs. Some universal side effects, which are experienced by most of the patients after chemotherapy, are:

1. Hair loss

2. Anemia

3. Lowered immunity

4. Difficult breathing

5. Diarrhea

6. Nausea and vomiting

7. Bruising and bleeding

These side effects need further treatment after chemotherapy. Such a rigorous dose of medication often upsets the patient physically plus psychologically. Local chemotherapy to cure a non-evasive form of cancer is a palliative treatment.

Local chemotherapy scores over the conventional chemotherapy, as it requires less number of sittings and rounds for a doctor. Chemotherapy schedules often consist of few cycles over a period of 4-6 months. Patients have to come to the hospital to get the drugs every time. The administration of chemotherapy takes some time, as the doctors have to follow a strict regimen while giving these drugs. A local chemotherapy on the other hand is a onetime process and thus is hassle free as compared to conventional mechanism.