Introduction: Cancer is a disease characterized by the appearance of abnormal cells after a cellular DNA molecule experiences a genetic mutation. Chemotherapy is the most successful systemic therapy of malignant diseases. It presupposes the use of cytostatic drugs that are extremely toxic. In the Republic of Croatia, about 14,000 people die from cancer every year. Procedure: Databases such as Hrčak, PubMed and NCBI were searched for the purposes of this paper. The relevant literature was found in the library of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, the library of the Faculty of Medicine Osijek, the City and University Library Osijek and the City Library Požega. Most of the literature searched is not older than 10 years. Overview: According to the therapeutic goal, but also the time in which chemotherapy will be administered, we distinguish adjuvant, neoadjuvant, primary chemotherapy, and palliative chemotherapy. The function of cytostatics is to destroy or damage cells. Central preparation of cytostatic therapy involves the preparation of cytostatics in the hospital and was introduced in the Republic of Croatia in 2012. Initially, chemotherapy was prepared by nurses outside of the appropriate working conditions. It is most often administered intravenously, which means that highly educated and trained nurses and technicians participate in the preparation and administering of chemotherapy. The use of cytostatic therapy causes numerous side effects that are treated by a nurse. Conclusion: Chemotherapy is prepared for each patient separately since each cancer as well as the organism is different and individual. The tasks of the nurse in the preparation and administering of chemotherapy are of great importance, and are based on knowledge, moral responsibility, and principles of ethics. As in any work, the wishes of the oncology patient should be respected and it should be ensured that the patient reach decisions on his/her life independently.