Most chemotherapy drugs are given to you through a tiny plastic tube,
or catheter,
which is inserted into a vein in your forearm or hand.
This method is called intravenous, or IV. Intravenous drugs
are given
in the following ways:
- The drugs can be given quickly through IV tubing directly
from a syringe over a few minutes; this is called an "IV push."
- An IV infusion
can last 30 minutes to a few hours. A mixed
drug solution flows from a plastic bag.
- Continuous infusions are sometimes necessary and can last
from 1 to 7 days.
Catheters and needles can scar or weaken veins after several
chemotherapy sessions. Another option is the central venous catheter
(CVC). The CVC is a catheter that is surgically placed in
the chest or
upper arm area, and can stay in place to give access to a large vein.
Routine blood work can be drawn from these catheters. Drugs can be
injected directly into the CVC, or through an IV connected to the CVC,
whenever you go for treatment. Many different kinds of CVCs are
available. Many people discuss this option with their doctor even
before beginning treatment. Some find out during treatment that they
must have a CVC because their hand and arm veins are not good enough to
complete the planned chemotherapy. Your doctor can help determine the
need for and the right type of CVC for you.
Depending on the drug and where the cancer is located, your
chemotherapy also may be given in one or more of the following ways:
- Orally or
PO –
This means “by mouth.” You swallow the drug
in a pill, capsule, or liquid form just as you do other medicines. This
method is usually more convenient and may be less expensive because the
drugs can be taken at home. If you take chemotherapy drugs by mouth, it
is very important to take the exact dosage, at the right time, for as
long as it has been prescribed for you. For more information please
call 1-800-ACS-2345 and ask for Oral
Chemotherapy: What You Need to Know.
- Intravenous or IV – The chemotherapy is injected through a
needle or catheter into a vein.
- Intrathecal
or IT –
The drug is injected into the spinal
canal. You may either get an injection directly into your spine or into
a surgically placed cerebrospinal fluid reservoir or port under your
scalp (called an Omaya reservoir). This small drum-like device has a
small tube attached to it that goes in to the cerebrospinal fluid in
your spinal canal.
- Intra-arterial
– The chemotherapy drug is injected directly
into an artery to treat a single area (such as the liver, an arm, or
leg). This method limits the effect of the drug on other parts of the
body.
- Intracavitary
– Chemotherapy drugs are given through a
catheter into the abdominal cavity (the space around the bowels and
other organs in the belly) or chest cavity (the space around the lungs
and other organs in the chest.)
- Intramuscular
or IM –
The drug is injected through a needle
into a muscle.
- Intralesional
– The drug is injected through a needle
directly into a tumor in the skin, under the skin, or in an internal
organ.
- Topical
– The medicine is applied directly to an area of
cancer on the skin.
Revised: 03/08/2008
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