The drugs may all be given on a single day, several consecutive days, or continuously as an outpatient or as an inpatient. Treatment could last minutes, hours, or days, depending on the specific protocol. Chemotherapy may repeat weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Usually, a cycle is defined in monthly intervals. You can pass the time with conversation, reading, or working on your laptop.
Some people feel the effects of chemo right away, but for others, it takes a day or two. Not all chemo drugs have the same side effects. Keep your oncology team in the loop. Many side effects are treatable and some may signal serious complications.
Your oncology team is your best source of information. You might also find it helpful to download these free booklets about chemotherapy:. Chemotherapy is an effective treatment for many types of cancer. Chemo is given in cycles, with a typical infusion time of several hours, although it can be a day or longer in some cases.
Your treatment plan may need to be adjusted along the way. Before starting chemotherapy, your oncology team will give you an overview of what to expect. These healthcare professionals are trained to answer all your questions and help you understand your treatment. Chemotherapy can be a tough journey with ups and downs. Read our tips on what to expect and how to handle them. You may be able to use oral chemotherapy instead of traditional chemotherapy to treat your cancer.
Learn more about this type of medication. From absolute necessities to little luxuries, you won't want to head to a chemo appointment without these items. One of the side effects of chemotherapy is a weakened immune system. Learn more about how to support your immune system during and after chemo to….
ABVD is one of the most common types of chemotherapy for treating Hodgkin's lymphoma. Learn more about this treatment and what to expect. It can make chemotherapy more effective against some cancers. But it also increases the risk of side effects. Talk with your health care team about the best schedule for you.
Intravenous IV chemotherapy. Many drugs require injection directly into a vein. This is called intravenous or IV chemotherapy. Treatment takes a few minutes to a few hours. Some IV drugs work better if you get them over a few days or weeks. You take them through a small pump you wear or carry. This is called continuous infusion chemotherapy. Oral chemotherapy. You can take some drugs by mouth. They can be in a pill, capsule, or liquid. This means that you may be able to pick up your medication at the pharmacy and take it at home.
Oral treatments for cancer are now more common. Some of these drugs are given daily, and others are given less often. For example, a drug may be given daily for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week break.
Injected chemotherapy. This is when you receive chemotherapy as a shot. The shot may be given in a muscle or injected under the skin. You may receive these shots in the arm, leg, or abdomen. Abdomen is the medical word for your belly. Chemotherapy into an artery. An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood from your heart to another part of your body. Sometimes chemotherapy is injected into an artery that goes directly to the cancer.
This is called intra-arterial or IA chemotherapy. Chemotherapy into the peritoneum or abdomen. Responses may be measured during the chemotherapy, but the number of cycles does not generally change unless the cancer grows. If the cancer grows, the chemotherapy will likely be stopped or changed to different drugs. For a person who has had a recurrence or has advanced disease, a specific number of cycles may not be prescribed.
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