Chemotherapy Administration

Chemotherapy Administration

Julie Scott, DNP
Julie Scott, DNP
Chemotherapy Administration| cancerGO

How is Chemotherapy administered?

Chemotherapy is a commonly used treatment for cancer that uses medication to kill cancer cells. There are several different ways that Chemotherapy can be administered, and the best method for a patient will depend on the type of cancer they have and where it’s located.

Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy

IV chemotherapy is the most common way Chemotherapy is given. It involves injecting the chemotherapy drugs directly into a vein using a needle or catheter. The drugs then travel through the bloodstream to the cancer cells. This method is typically used for cancers that have spread throughout the body or for patients who need high doses of Chemotherapy. IV chemotherapy is usually given in a hospital or clinic setting.

Oral Chemotherapy

Oral Chemotherapy involves taking chemotherapy drugs in pill or capsule form. Oral Chemotherapy can be taken at home, which can be more convenient for patients who live far from a treatment center. However, it’s important for patients to follow their treatment schedule closely and to notify their healthcare provider if they experience any side effects. Not all chemo medications come in an oral form.

Intrathecal Chemotherapy

Intrathecal Chemotherapy involves injecting the drugs directly into the spinal fluid using a needle. This method is used to treat cancers that have spread to the brain or spinal cord, as the drugs can reach the cancer cells more directly. Intrathecal Chemotherapy is typically given in a hospital or clinic setting.

Topical Chemotherapy

Topical Chemotherapy involves applying the drugs directly to the skin using a cream or gel. This method is used to treat skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and

squamous cell carcinoma. Topical Chemotherapy is usually applied at home, and patients may need to follow specific instructions to prevent the drugs from spreading to other parts of the body.

Intra-arterial Chemotherapy

Intra-arterial Chemotherapy involves injecting the drugs directly into the artery that supplies blood to the cancerous tissue. This method is used to treat cancers that are localized to a specific area, such as liver or kidney cancer. Intra-arterial Chemotherapy is typically performed in a hospital or clinic setting.

 

Julie Scott, DNP
Julie Scott, DNP
Julie is an oncology certified Oncology Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of medical oncology experience. In addition to her clinical work, she is an accomplished healthcare writer providing oncology content for various publications. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member for a Master's nursing program and a chair for Doctoral nursing students.

Download our
mobile app

Share this post
You may also like
Articles
What you need to know about thyroid cancer screening – cancergo3
March 22, 2022 3min reads

What is Thyroid Cancer? The thyroid is a gland in the front of the neck responsible for hormone production. When cells of the thyroid become abnormal, cancer develops. There are no screening tests to evaluate thyroid cancer cells’ presence. A diagnosis is typically made when someone is being evaluated for…

admin

administrator

Articles
How Communication Impacts The Patient Experience
April 6, 2023

Effective communication is crucial for any successful relationship, including the one between healthcare providers and their patients. When it comes to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, the importance of effective communication cannot be overstated. Patients are often frightened, overwhelmed, and anxious about their diagnosis and treatment. Effective communication can help…

Jenni Daniel BSN, RN

author

Articles
Breast cancer local treatment
November 8, 2022

The exact treatment prescribed for you will be based on the stage and characteristics of your breast cancer. It's important to talk to your oncology team if you have any specific questions about your particular treatment.  Treatment is often classified into local therapy or systemic therapy. Local therapy means that…

Julie Scott, DNP

author

cancerGO gives you access to a community

Where are people to listen, answer questions, share information, and offer valuable and timely advice