AIG’s CEO Robert Benmosche undergoing ‘aggressive chemotherapy’ for cancer

Robert Benmosche, AIG’s chief executive, is reportedly undergoing what’s been termed “aggressive chemotherapy,” but what is aggressive chemotherapy?

Details are scant about Benmosche’s condition at the moment, much less his type of cancer – or treatment.

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But the National Cancer Institute says this about how often – and how long – a patient receives chemotherapy:

“Treatment schedules for chemotherapy vary widely. How often and how long you get chemotherapy depends on:

• Your type of cancer and how advanced it is
• The goals of treatment (whether chemotherapy is used to cure your cancer, control its growth or ease the symptoms)
• The type of chemotherapy
• How your body reacts to chemotherapy You may receive chemotherapy in cycles.

A cycle is a period of chemotherapy treatment followed by a period of rest. For instance, you might receive one week of chemotherapy followed by three weeks of rest. These four weeks make up one cycle. The rest period gives your body a chance to build new healthy cells.” For the full primer on chemotherapy, check out “Questions and Answers About Chemotherapy.”

More will become clearer as details emerge. Although chemotherapy can be undeniably grueling, Benmosche, 66, is determined to stay on the job, as Bloomberg reports. MedLine Plus offers a wealth of explainers and resources about chemotherapy, including this tutorial.

Here’s Reuters’ story that highlights more on Benmosche and his battle.

--Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times