Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy

Glossary

Chemotherapy is most commonly given through a liquid drip into your vein (intravenously). Depending on the treatment, a single session could take from 20 minutes up to several hours. It will usually be given during day visits to your hospital or treatment centre. Sometimes chemotherapy is given via a portable pump you are able to use at home.

Ways of injecting drugs

To prepare you for IV chemotherapy, you will have a narrow tube inserted, usually in a vein in your arm. The treatment team will select the most appropriate device depending 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.

Learn more about:

Cannula

A small plastic tube is inserted into a vein in your arm or the back of your hand and taped securely into place. Having a cannula put in can be uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t take too long. The cannula is kept in place if you need to stay in hospital for a few days. If you have day treatment every few weeks, the cannula is usually put in and taken out each time you visit.

Central venous access device (CVAD)

A type of thin plastic tube that remains in your vein throughout the course of treatment, often for several weeks or months. Blood for testing can sometimes be taken through this tube. A CVAD shouldn’t cause discomfort or pain.

Common types of CVADs include:

  • central line – inserted into the chest or neck
  • Hickman line – inserted into the chest
  • PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line – inserted into the arm
  • port-a-cath (port) – a small device inserted under the skin of the chest or arm.

Portable pump

This device is programmed to give a prescribed amount of chemotherapy continuously over a few days. The pump is usually attached to a central line and is quite small. It can be carried in a bag or belt holster, and can be tucked under a pillow when sleeping.

Your hospital or treatment centre will explain how to care for the pump, and they can answer any questions you may have.

Caring for your line or port

Before you go home, a nurse will show you how to look after your line or port to prevent infection or blockage. A nurse may regularly visit you at home to help clean all tubes or lines. It’s important to keep the area dry when showering or bathing, and to contact your doctor or nurse immediately if you have pain, discomfort, redness or swelling around the line. If these are signs of an infection, you will be given medicine to help fight the infection, and the device may need to be replaced.

Listen to our podcast on Making Treatment Decisions

Click on the icon below to download a PDF booklet on Chemotherapy.

Printed copies are available for free - Call 13 11 20 to order

Instructions for downloading and reading EPUB files

Apple devices

The iBooks application must be installed on your Apple device before you can read the EPUB.
Different ways to download an EPUB file to your Apple device:

  • email EPUB files to yourself and transfer the attachment to iBooks.
  • copy EPUB files into DropBox (or a similar service) and use the DropBox app to send them to iBooks.
  • open EPUB files directly from Mobile Safari and open them in iBooks, where they are saved automatically by downloading the EPUB from the website.

Need more help? Visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4059

Kobo

To download an EPUB file to your Kobo from a Windows computer:

  • download and save the EPUB directly onto your desktop.
  • connect your Kobo to your computer using the USB cable and tap “Connect” on your eReader.
  • select “Open folder to view files” to view the contents of your Kobo.
  • navigate to where you have stored your EPUB file in “Finder”, in documents or downloads, and drag and drop it into the Kobo window. You can now disconnect your Kobo to read the eBook.

To download an EPUB to your Kobo from a Mac:

  • download and save the EPUB directly onto your desktop.
  • connect your Kobo to your computer using the USB cable and tap “Connect” on your eReader.
  • open your “Finder” application.
  • select “Kobo eReader” from the listed devices to view the contents of your Kobo.
  • navigate to where you have stored your EPUB file in “Finder”, probably in documents or downloads, and drag and drop it into the Kobo window. You can now disconnect your Kobo to read the eBook.

Turn on your Kobo and your EPUB will be located in “eBooks”, while a PDF will be located in “Documents”.
Need more information? Visit: http://www.kobo.com/help/koboaura/response/?id=3784&type=3

Sony Reader

To download an EPUB file on your Sony Reader™:

  • ensure you have already installed the Reader™ Library for PC/Mac software
  • select the eBook you want from our website and click the link to download it.
  • connect the Reader™ to your computer.
  • open the Reader™ Library software and click “Library” in the left-hand pane and select the eBook to view it.

Need more help? Visit: https://au.readerstore.sony.com/apps_and_devices/

Amazon Kindle 2nd Generation devices

EPUB files can’t be read on the Amazon Kindle™. However, like most eReaders, Kindle™ 2nd Generation devices are able to display PDFs. We recommend that you download the PDF version of this booklet if you would like to read it on a Kindle™.
To transfer a PDF to your Kindle™ via USB cable from your computer or Mac:

  • download the PDF directly onto your computer.
  • connect the USB cable to your computer’s USB port, and the micro USB end of the cable to your Kindle™. Note: the Kindle™ won’t be available as a reading device while it is connected to your computer until it has been disconnected.
  • open the Kindle™ drive and several folders will appear inside. The “Documents” folder is where you will need to copy or drag the PDF to.
  • safely eject your Kindle™ from your computer and unplug the USB cable. Your content will appear on the Home Screen.

Kindle also provides a Kindle Personal Documents Service that allows users to send documents as an attachment directly to your eReader. For more information on this service, visit http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=help_search_1-1?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200767340&qid=1395967989&sr=1-1
For more information on accessing a PDF on your Kindle™, visit www.amazon.com/manageyourkindle, log in to your account and click on Personal Document Settings.
Need more help? Visit https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200375630

Android and PC

You can also download and open eBooks on Android devices and PCs with appropriate apps or software installed. Suitable eReader apps for Android include Google Play Books, FBReader and Moon+ Reader. Suitable software for PCs include Calibre and Adobe Digital Editions.

This information was last reviewed in August 2018
View who reviewed this content
View our editorial policy

Support services

Work and cancer
Information for employees, employers and workplaces dealing with cancer

Looking for transport, accommodation or home help?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment

Cancer information

Radiation therapy
Information about this common cancer treatment, which is sometimes used with chemotherapy or on its own

Making cancer treatment decisions
Decision-making steps, consent and second opinions

TOP BACK TO TOP