Chemotherapy drugs are usually put straight into your blood as a liquid through a drip inserted into a vein (intravenous infusion).
Learn more about:
How chemotherapy is given
To prepare for IV chemotherapy, the treatment team will insert a narrow tube into a vein.
This may be a cannula, which is usually removed after each treatment session, or a type of central venous access device, which stays in place between sessions. The type of device used will depend on how often you need chemotherapy, how long it will take to give each dose and how long the device will need to stay in place.
Chemotherapy will usually be given during day visits to your hospital or treatment centre. In most cases, a single session takes between 20 minutes and several hours. This depends on what kind of treatment you’re having. For some types of cancer, a treatment session may take several days. This can be given with a portable pump that you can use at home. The pump provides a continuous dose of chemotherapy.
Infusion reactions
The infusion process may cause reactions (e.g. feeling hot or flushed, skin rashes, or difficulty breathing). While some drugs are more likely to cause a reaction in the first and second infusions, others may cause reactions later in the course. Your doctor can provide you with information.
A nurse will check for signs of a reaction and may give you medicines to help prevent them. Sometimes a reaction happens several hours after the infusion. If you develop any signs or feel unwell after you get home, contact the hospital straightaway.
My chemo infusions took about 8 hours because I had 2 drugs and a saline solution in between. It was a long day, sitting in the chair having infusions.
Cheryl
→ READ MORE: How IV chemotherapy is delivered
Podcast: Making Treatment Decisions
Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer
Download Easy Read and resources in other languages
Prof Desmond Yip, Senior Staff Specialist, Department of Medical Oncology, The Canberra Hospital, ANU School of Medicine and Psychology, ANU College of Health & Medicine, The Australian National University, ACT; Gillian Blanchard, Nurse Practitioner, Calvary Mater, Newcastle, NSW; Ken Colbert, Consumer; Laura Collins, Clinical Dietitian, GenesisCare, WA; Karen Gray, Consumer; Kate Lucking, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Louise Moodie, Director of Dietetics, Mackay Hospital and Health Service, QLD; Dr Shivanshan Pathmanathan, Medical Oncologist, Townsville Cancer Centre, Townsville University Hospital, QLD; Dr Marissa Ryan, Acting Consultant Pharmacist (Cancer), Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD; Jayne Watson, Clinic Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC; Stephanie Webster, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
