Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that works differently to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy attacks all rapidly dividing cells in the body, but targeted therapy works by “targeting” those differences that help a cancer cell to survive and grow.
Targeted treatments can be taken orally, injected or given intravenously (through a vein). They may be given along with chemotherapy.
Side effects of targeted therapy can include fever, headache, and a rash; the targeted therapy trastuzumab (brand name Herceptin) may also affect heart function.