Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells, treating many types of cancer. A common delivery method is intravenously, directly into a vein. This allows drugs to enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body, targeting cancer wherever it may be present.
Understanding IV Chemotherapy
IV chemotherapy administers anticancer drugs directly into a patient’s vein. This ensures quick absorption into the bloodstream, circulating throughout the body. Because the drugs travel systemically, they can reach cancer cells in various organs and tissues, making IV chemotherapy suitable for widespread cancers. This systemic delivery allows drugs to target rapidly dividing cells, a characteristic of many cancer cells, wherever they are located.
Types of IV Access for Chemotherapy
Reliable intravenous access is necessary for safe and effective chemotherapy delivery. The choice of access method depends on the treatment type, duration, specific drugs, and patient’s vein health.
A peripheral IV line is a temporary access point, typically placed in a vein in the hand or arm. This type of line is suitable for short-term infusions, often lasting a few hours or less, and is generally used when chemotherapy is given infrequently. It is a common starting point for many patients due to its ease of insertion and removal.
For longer treatments or drugs that can be irritating to smaller veins, a central venous catheter (CVC) may be used. These lines are placed into a large vein, often in the chest or neck, and can remain in place for weeks or months. CVCs provide a more stable and less irritating route for repeated drug administration.
A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) is another type of CVC, inserted into a vein in the arm and advanced until its tip rests in a large vein near the heart. PICC lines are suitable for treatments lasting weeks to several months, offering a balance between ease of insertion and long-term access. They are a common choice for extended outpatient chemotherapy regimens.
An implantable port, also known as a port-a-cath, is a device surgically placed entirely under the skin, usually in the chest. A small tube connects the port to a large vein, and medication is delivered by inserting a needle through the skin into the port’s reservoir. This type of access is designed for long-term use, often for many months or years, and is particularly convenient for patients requiring frequent or prolonged chemotherapy infusions.
Other Ways Chemotherapy is Given
While IV administration is common, chemotherapy can also be delivered through other routes, depending on the cancer type and specific drug. These methods ensure medication reaches cancer cells effectively in different body parts.
Oral chemotherapy involves taking anticancer drugs in pill or liquid form by mouth. This method offers convenience, allowing patients to take their medication at home, where drugs are absorbed through the digestive system and enter the bloodstream.
Intrathecal chemotherapy involves injecting drugs directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This method is used for certain brain or spinal cord cancers, or to prevent cancer from spreading to the central nervous system, ensuring drugs bypass the blood-brain barrier.
For skin cancers, topical chemotherapy may be prescribed, where drugs are applied directly to the skin as creams or gels. This approach delivers the medication directly to the cancerous cells on the skin’s surface, helping treat localized skin lesions with minimal systemic absorption.
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy involves delivering drugs directly into the abdominal cavity. This method is used for certain cancers within the abdomen, such as ovarian or colorectal cancer, allowing drugs to directly bathe the affected organs and tissues.
Intra-arterial chemotherapy involves injecting chemotherapy drugs directly into an artery that supplies blood to a specific tumor or organ. This method delivers a high concentration of the drug directly to the cancer site, which can reduce systemic exposure and potential side effects, often used for localized cancers in the liver or limbs.
What to Expect During IV Chemotherapy
Before the first treatment, patients typically have pre-treatment appointments, including blood tests and meetings with their care team. These steps confirm readiness and provide an opportunity to discuss the treatment plan.
On the day of the infusion, patients check in at the cancer center or infusion clinic. They are then escorted to the infusion area, which often features comfortable chairs or recliners. A nurse will connect the IV line to the patient’s chosen access point.
The duration of the infusion varies significantly based on the specific chemotherapy drugs and the treatment plan, ranging from less than an hour to several hours. During the infusion, patients are monitored closely by nursing staff for any reactions or discomfort. Many patients choose to read, watch television, listen to music, or rest during this time.
The process of receiving the medication itself is generally painless beyond the initial insertion of the IV needle or access to the port. Once the infusion is complete, the nurse will disconnect the IV line. Patients typically receive instructions for immediate post-infusion care and information on potential side effects to monitor at home before being discharged.