How is chemotherapy given?
Chemotherapy may be given in many ways.
- Intravenous (IV). The chemotherapy goes directly into a vein.
- Orally. The chemotherapy comes in pills, capsules, or liquids that you swallow.
- Intraperitoneal (IP). The chemotherapy goes directly into the peritoneal cavity (the area that contains organs such as your intestines, stomach, liver, and ovaries).
- Injection. The chemotherapy is given by a shot in a muscle in your arm, thigh, or hip or right under the skin in the fatty part of your arm, leg, or belly.
- Intra-arterial (IA). The chemotherapy goes directly into the artery that is feeding the cancer. One such treatment is called chemoembolization.
- Topically. The chemotherapy comes in a cream that you rub onto your skin.
Things to know about getting chemotherapy through an IV
Chemotherapy is often given through a thin needle that is placed in a vein on your hand or lower arm. Your nurse will put the needle in at the start of each treatment and remove it when treatment is over. Let your doctor or nurse know right away if you feel pain or burning while you are getting IV chemotherapy.
IV chemotherapy is often given through catheters or ports, sometimes with the help of a pump.
PICC Line for chemotherapy:
A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC or PIC line) is a form of intravenous access that can be used for a prolonged period of time, e.g., for long chemotherapy regimens, extended antibiotic therapy, or total parenteral nutrition, TPN.
A PICC is inserted in a peripheral vein, and then advanced through increasingly larger veins, toward the heart until the tip rests in the distal superior vena cava.
Different PICC line needs to be flushed on different schedules: some twice a day, some daily, some once a week. You will be instructed on what YOU need to do for YOUR situation and type of PICC line.
Infused Port for chemotherapy:
Infused Port is a small medical appliance that is installed beneath the skin. A catheter connects the port to a vein. Under the skin, the port has a septum through which drugs can be injected and blood samples can be drawn many times, usually with less discomfort for the patient than a more typical "needle stick".
We normally insert PowerPort for a patient who requires an infused port for chemotherapy. The insertion is normally performed by our surgeons in the surgery department. Occasionally we also ask our radiology to assist on placing this device. The patient who normally requires an infused port does not have good veins in their arms for chemotherapy access. An infused port can be used for chemotherapy and blood draw as well. Blood draw through an infused port is normally performed by our infusion center nurses.
An infused port requires monthly flushing when a patient is not receiving chemotherapy. This port flushing is performed by our infusion nurses.
To learn more about the PowerPort, please visit the manufacturer's website.
After the insertion of the PowerPort, you will be given a brochure by an operating room nurse with instructions about the port and how to maintain it. You can also find this brochure in their website.
The manufacturer also provides a patient guide in their website.
