Chemotherapy Treatment and Administration
People may receive chemotherapy one of the following four ways, or a combination of them:1
- Intravenous (IV) infusion
- Oral (pill)
- Injection or shot
- Other types of administration
Although some chemotherapy requires IV administration, patients now receive many types of chemo at home.1 Through instruction, you and your family members can learn how to administer chemotherapy in pill form or by injection with small syringes and needles similar to those that people with diabetes use to administer insulin.
In some cases, a nurse will administer chemo in an outpatient clinic. In other cases, it may be necessary to go to the hospital to receive treatment.1
Because different drugs damage cancer cells during different times, combining different cancer drugs into a regimen can result in more cancer cells being killed.
Chemotherapy is not without risk of side effects. Learn how best to manage chemotherapy side effects.
1. Chemotherapy and you. National Cancer Institute. Updated May 2007. NIH Publication No. 07—7156. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy—and—you.pdf. Accessed May 12, 2010.
Understanding Cancer –
Chemotherapy Side Effects –
Treating Cancer in Other Ways
Tracking Your Test Results –
Understanding Insurance and Tax Issues
Chemotherapy Resources and Organizations –
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