CHEMOTHERAPY

How is chemotherapy given?

Because different cancers are sensitive to different chemotherapy drugs, everyone’s treatment is different. Sometimes the same drug or drug combination may be used for different people, but the dose is calculated for each individual.

We will give you your chemotherapy in one or more of the following ways:

• As a Bolus Injection into a small needle called a butterfly in a vein, usually in the back of your hand or forearm. This is ideal for small volumes of fluid and takes approximately 5-10 minutes;
• As an Infusion through a plastic needle called a cannula into a vein. This is ideal for large volumes of fluid, which need to run over a few hours up to several days. You will only need to stay in hospital if the chemotherapy takes more than a few hours;
• As an Ambulatory Pump through a small pump into a central line (PICC or Hickman). You can go home with this kind of device. This is ideal for small volumes of fluid that need to run continuously over a few days or a week.
• As Tablets to take at home as part of your treatment plan. Your nurse will explain how and when to take them. Do not ask your GP for any more of these tablets;
• As an Injection into a muscle or into the tissue just underneath the skin;
• Into a Body Cavity for example the bladder or abdomen (belly, tummy);
• As a Lumbar Puncture, this involves inserting a needle into your spine so that the drugs reach the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain. We will give you a local anaesthetic beforehand so that any discomfort you may experience is minimal;
• As an Ointment applied directly to your skin.

Your doctor will discuss with you the best way to give you your treatment.

What are the side effects?

Introduction

How does it work?

How is it given?

What are the side effects?

What can I / can't I do?

What if the chemotherapy does not work?

What happens when my treatment is complete?

Specific Treatments

Other resources