Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of chemical substances to treat disease. In its modern-day use, it refers almost exclusively to cytostatic drugs used to treat cancer.

Delivery

Most chemotherapy is delivered intravenously, although there are a number of agents that can be administered orally (e.g. melphalan and gemcitabine). Depending on the patient, the cancer, the stage of cancer, the type of chemotherapy, and the dosage, IV chemotherapy may be given on either an inpatient or outpatient basis. For continuous, frequent or prolonged IV chemotherapy administration, various systems may be surgically inserted into the vasculature to maintain access. Commonly used systems are the Hickman line, the Port-a-Cath or the PICC line. These have a lower infection risk, are much less prone to phlebitis or extravasation, and abolish the need for repeated insertion of peripheral cannulae.

Related Topics:
Delivered - Intravenous - Melphalan - Gemcitabine - Inpatient - Outpatient - Hickman line - Port-a-Cath - PICC line - Phlebitis

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